V P Singh for reservation in pvt sector

Bangalore, Apr 25 (UNI) Former Prime Minister V P Singh today strongly advocated job reservation for SC/STs and backward classes in the private sector.

Addressing a well-attended convention of the All India Progressive Janata Dal (AIPJD) here, he said ''The reservation guaranteed to them in the Indian Constitution need to be extended to the private sector too.'' Stating that he had put in a great deal of effort to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission report during his tenure as Prime Minister, he said when he had mooted the idea of extending reservation to the oppressed classes in the society, many parties opposed it and resorted to violent agitations against the implementation of the recommendations. However, the same parties were now acting as champions of the backward classes, he ridiculed.

Stating that the advent of globalisation in all spheres had shrunken the opportunities for the downtrodden in the society, he said it was high time reservation was provided to them in the private sector.

He also appealed to the presitigious IITs and IIMs to reserve seats for the backward classes in the institutions.

Mr Singh alleged that huge sums of money released in the name of development hardly reached the targeted sections of the society and called upon the oppressed classes to unite and fight against injustice.

Hailing AIPJD leader Siddharamaiah's efforts in bringing together the oppressed classes in the society, he assured that he would extend full support to his endeavour.

Speaking on the occasion, Former Union Minister and Indian National Lok Dal leader Ajit Singh said Karnataka always led the nation in bringing political changes for the good.

He alleged that the farming community in the country was in a depressed state due to the wrong policies pursued by both the Centre and state governments.

Referring to farmers suicide across the country, he said they were forced to take the extreme step as they did not get good remunerative prices for their produce.

He demanded the Centre to ensure that a quota was reserved for students belonging to the dalit and backward classes communities in the IITs and IIMs.

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