Pvt sector quota: UPA let it pass,Cong puts it in draft manifesto

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resource Development,headed by Janardan Dwivedi,had earlier pointed out that no caste-based census had been done after 1931. The promise to hold a fresh survey of backward castes would appeal to many communities presently outside the OBC ambit.

The Central Manifesto Committee of the Congress,headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee,finalised the draft manifesto last month and submitted it to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The draft will be presented to the Congress Working Committee.

Having backed the UPA government’s economic reforms,the Congress draft manifesto refers to the negative impact of economic growth in terms of redistribution of resources and income disparities.

“Reforms with human face” is again the Congress catch-phrase.

The “aam aadmi” makes a rare appearance in the over 100-page draft manifesto with the Congress advocating that reforms be common man-oriented. But Digvijay Singh,a member of the manifesto committee,maintained there was no dilution of the party plank and the “aam aadmi is only going ahead.”

“The thrust of the manifesto is firmly anchored in the Congress legacy of siding with the poor and deprived people of the country,” said Mani Shankar Aiyar.

Though the Congress manifesto in 2004 was not specific about reservation in private sector,the National Common Minimum Programme had sought to address the issue. The UPA government subsequently formed a Group of Ministers to look into the issue. A coordination committee was constituted to carry forward talks with the industry on affirmative action in the private sector. Talks have been held from time to time but the issue remains unresolved.

Courting minorities,the draft manifesto refers to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s 15-Point Programme and promises implementation of the Sachar committee recommendations. The draft also promises to look at the recommendations of the Ranganath Misra Commission. In lieu of the Haj subsidy,the Congress promises to set up a corpus fund for the purpose. Reassuring the minority community,it reiterates the commitment to tackle terror,stating that no particular community would be targeted.

REFORMS WITH A HUMAN FACE: CATCH PHRASE AGAIN

• Cong draft poll manifesto includes reservation in pvt sector

• Refers to negative impact of economic reforms,calls for ‘reforms with human face’

• Courts minorities,refers to PM’s 15-point programme,Sachar panel report

• Says no community to be targeted while tackling terror

• In lieu of Haj subsidy,promises a corpus fund