SC/ST jobs: Chambers asked to have targets

“In the meeting,progress was reviewed on affirmative action for SCs/STs. It was noted that some progress had been made in adopting the Voluntary Code of Conduct and running skill development and vocation education programs to improve the employability of weaker sections,” a PMO statement said.

The meeting decided that “there is scope to ramp up these initiatives and scale up the activities and coverage for there to be a visible impact and recognition of ongoing efforts”.

While referring to the actions taken by the three chambers,it was noted that “a lot of effort is being made but it is still sporadic and scattered”.

It was suggested that each industry chamber could work out a five-year vision voluntarily which could guide the annual action plans,the statement said,adding,”This would give an idea of the long term path and where they aim to be.”

The meeting felt that “a lot of work has been done in the area of affirmative action but not captured well”,it said.

“A database also needs to be built up and shared with the Government. It was decided that Secretary (DIPP) would set up a system to collect quarterly data from the three chambers and build a database on Affirmative Action for Scs/STs,” the statement said.

At the meeting of Coordination Committee on Affirmative Action,industry chambers were requested to focus on certain geographical areas and leverage on similar other government programmes.

Twenty-seven districts identified as having 47 per cent population of Scs/STs as per the 2011 census could be adopted by industry associations,the statement said.

“Skill development is a national priority and focus should always be on the weaker sections of the society so as to enable them to avail the benefits of government programmes,” it said.

Pointing out that there is a huge demand for coaching for competitive examinations,especially in the rural areas,the meeting was of the view that this demand could be addressed by fixing quantifiable targets.

“Conducting coaching classes is a very good idea for the SC/ST population and weaker sections,it was concurred,” the statement said.

It said the PMO officials appreciated the work being done by the industry associations to promote the employment of SCs/STs and other disadvantaged groups and thanked the coordinating committee members for their suggestions. It was noted at the meeting that FICCI has adopted Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh which has more than 47 per cent population of SCs/STs.

Two initiatives have been undertaken by FICCI recently – two skill development training centres were opened and an employment centre would also be opened soon.

It was mentioned that 39 companies under FICCI have adopted the Voluntary Code of Conduct so far.

ASSOCHAM informed that they have a National Council of Affirmative Action and programmes were organised to sensitise their industry members on affirmative action.

ASSOCHAM has taken a decision that it would prepare an annual report every year on the subject.

CII said it is committed to working on education,employability,employment and entrepreneurship and that any programme on affirmative action should have economic targets.