FICCI suggests action plan as alternative to reservation

New Delhi, Apr 20 (UNI) The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) today suggested a five-point action programme through public-private partnership to empower SC, ST and OBC youth to get a fair deal as an alternative to reservation in the private sector.

''The issue will have to be addressed at the root and this cannot be done merely through reservation,'' FICCI President S K Poddar has said.

Mr Poddar is currently in Shanghai, where he is leading a business delegation.

The Chamber indicated that SC,ST and OBC youth would have to be helped to acquire skills which are required in a growing economy.

FICCI's five-point agenda includes--- public private partnership and support for retention of SC/ST and OBC students at the primary school level and also at the secondary school level where the drop out rates are even higher, suggestions of introduction of vocational training, revamping of the existing Industrial Training Institues (ITIs) as well as financial support for OBC candidates.

A recently concluded FICCI study has found that no less than 13.6 million enterprises are run and owned by SC, ST and OBC entrepreneurs. The Chamber has suggested special incentive schemes for these units to help them grow faster. These units alone employ much more than the reservation scheme could possibly offer, according to the industry chamber.

UNI SS MP KP2006