The Hindu Business Line : India Inc moves on affirmative action

New Delhi April 6 India Inc is voluntarily taking steps to provide job opportunities to persons of backward classes in an attempt to thwart the possibility of legislation on the issue.

In what could be described as a by-the-industry, for-the-industry effort, the Confederation of Indian Industry has set up ombudspersons to look into implementation of affirmative action among its members.

"For us this is the first year for taking action, as committed to the Government. We have roped in four ombudspersons for the purpose and will be appointing one more," said a senior Chamber official.

The four persons include former Indian Ambassador to the US, Mr Naresh Chandra who will be the ombudsperson for the central region, Mr Sam P. Bharucha, former Chief Justice of India, for the western region and former Chief Justice of Kerala, Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta for the northern belt. Mr P. Shankar, former Central Vigilance Commissioner, would take care of the southern region.

The ombudsmen would look into complaints of backward class job applicants who are not "positively discriminated" against.

Positive discrimination

Members of the Chamber signatory to the affirmative action plan would have to exercise positive discrimination, whereby they will have to provide employment to a person from the backward community if he or she fares among the top contenders for a job vacancy. "The idea is to provide employment to a backward person competent for the job and not necessarily the best for the job," said the official.

The signatories will also have to disclose in their annual results the number of Backward Class employees in their organisations and the overall plan for affirmative action.

Training

The Chamber also plans to provide soft-skill training, coaching classes and scholarships for students of these classes. Out of the over 6,500 members, around 500 members have signed up.

Industry chamber Assocham too has asked its members to disclose in their balance sheet for 2007-2008 the initiatives taken by them with regard to affirmative action.

More Stories on : Human Resources | Politics | Social Welfare

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Forex reserves pushing $200-billion mark

CPI(M) wants ceiling on SEZs to be reviewed

IOC pins hopes on strong rupee

India-Iran gas pipeline pact by June: Deora

Ranbaxy acquiring 14.9% stake in Jupiter Bio

`Clearance for clinical trials quicker in India'

Maharashtra sugar mills slash export price

Legal row not to impact IPO, says Fortis

Cisco drafts new plans for small, medium business

Easier norms for stand-alone health insurance companies

Now, foreign cos looking at India for complex jobs

India Inc moves on affirmative action

Rlys mulls financing options for high-speed passenger corridor

Exporters say no to new valuation rules