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THE proposal for reservation of jobs in the private sector has understandably stirred up a controversy. It has been strongly opposed by all the federations of chambers of commerce and industry, as also by a sizeable section of the largely English-educated intelligentsia. On the other side are ranged interests purporting to represent the dalits, the under-privileged and the backward classes.

The argument in favour of reservation has always been the same since the time of framing of the Constitution: It is meant to bring about a restructuring of the society on the basis of social justice by freeing those who had for centuries been oppressed and suppressed from the disabilities imposed upon them and to enable them to enjoy equality of status and opportunity with those who had stolen a march over them on ostensible grounds of religious prescriptions, social customs and cultural traditions. The rationale continues to be valid as the process is still not complete

It cannot be denied that the steps taken by the Government in the years since Independence under the Constitutional provisions mandating special facilities, concessions and safeguards for scheduled castes and scheduled tribes have been conspicuously successful in guaranteeing them their entitlements in the Central and State governments and the public sector.

So far as is known, there has been no finding based on any comprehensive research undertaken by any renowned body that reservation of seats in educational institutions and Government and public sector jobs has been detrimental to efficiency and merit.

However, the fear of the private sector that reservation will result in decline in quality and discipline and bringing in its wake the possibility of being swamped out in the era of competition and globalisation cannot be summarily brushed aside. Just when India has begun to make its mark on the world stage, it cannot afford to inject any new disturbing factor in the working of the private sector.

It is reassuring, though, that the Government too is showing caution in approaching the issue. It has set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) whose main and immediate thrust seems to be "affirmative action" with no intention of forcing any particular quota on business and industry. The balanced composition of the GoM augurs well for a sober and sensible examination of all the implications before a final decision is taken.

B.S. Raghavan

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