Meira's call to pvt sector on weaker sections

Bangalore, June 23 (UNI) Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Meira Kumar today urged the private sector to join hands with the government to ensure welfare of marginalized groups and create an inclusive society.

Speaking at the STP Graduation Day for the programme under which as many 89 SC/ST students were provided special training in partnership with the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT-B) and Infosys to sharpen their skills, Ms Kumar said the private sector could play a major role in securing an equitable and just society.

The Indian society was built around the caste system, which was hierarchical and resulted in a majority of people belonging to certain segments being denied access to education and ownership of assets.

The pivotal role played by caste has resulted in continued marginalisation of these groups as the social handicaps imposed on them acted as an impediment to participate in nation-building.

With the advent of privatisation and globalisation in the early nineties allowed larger space for private sector to blossom and harness the huge economic opportunities thrown up.

The government also played vital role with its protective and promotional policies in initial years of economic re-construction which was grabbed by the private sector with great aplomb.

''Our corporate sector is very vibrant today and is already playing an important role in global economy due to it,'' the minister said.

The government had done the maximum possible for the private sector by way of rebates and concessions due to which it was expanding and getting global dimensions.

It was high time for the sector to supplement these efforts in creating inclusive society in which the marginalized and the deprived sections of the society get equal opportunity to participate and contribute to economic growth and development, she said. While appreciating the lead taken by the Infosys in taking up the cause of the SC/ST students, the Minister said another major corporate company also expressed its willingness to offer such service.

In his address, Infosys Non-Executive Chairman and Chief Mentor N Narayana Murthy said the pilot initiative taken by the company was a resounding success and the company was ready to extend such programmes to other states besides sharing its expertise if other industry leaders came forward with similar programmes.

Mr Murthy said the programme which proved most successful was the idea of Ms Kumar's who earlier requested something be done for these students.

The proposed Knowledge City being set up near Bidadi was dedicated only to IT and ITeS. A state-of-the-art fast connectivity road and railway link was also planned for the Devanahalli International Airport.

UNI