Quota in private jobs will curb naxalism: Paswan

New Delhi, March 22: Asserting that SC/ST people are equally competent to do private jobs, Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan on Tuesday, March 22 asked the industry to voluntarily give reservation to the weaker sections, claiming it will help curb naxalism.

"Why are youths drifting towards naxalism? It is happening because they are not getting opportunities," Paswan said on the sidelines of an event here. "Providing quota in private jobs will help cool down anger among SC and STs," The Union Minister for Consumer Affairs said suggesting that the vulnerable youths from these sections are taking to extremist ideology due to the lack of employment avenues for them.

Currently, the industry does not seem to be bothered about the backward sections of society, he added.

Making a strong pitch for job quota in private sector, the Minister said: "The private industry, which is benefiting from the government, should reserve jobs if not at Class I and Class II but at least at Class III and Class IV levels to provide just reservation to scheduled caste (SC) and scheduled tribes (ST)." Even in media, there should be one per cent reservation for SC/STs, Paswan said.

On industry's concern that introduction of quota would impact quality of manpower, Paswan said, "Are not SC and ST people capable of doing even peons job? If you cannot reserve jobs at Class I and Class II level.

At least you can provide at Class III and IV level." The Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) chief also said SC and STs are competing for civil service since India's independence and they are "equally competent to do private jobs."

Asked if the government will speak to the industry on this issue, Paswan said: "This is our party's demand. I feel that the industry should come forward on its own and play an affirmative role. Thereafter, the government will definitely think about it."

Paswan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his categorical assertion that there will be no dilution in the existing reservation policy in government jobs. BJP leader Prakash Javadekar, however, downplayed the Union Minister's remark, saying, "This has been his view for a long time."

PTI