Quota in private sector is a pre-poll gimmick

The National Council of Backward Classes (NCBC) constituted under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has come out with a recommendation to the Union Government that legislation be passed enjoining the private sector comprising businesses, hospitals, schools, trusts, etc., to reserve 27% of jobs for Other Backward Classes It is practically extension of the Mandal Commission recommendations adopted for public service employment and already implemented.

If accepted, it will expand the Quota Raj by bringing private sector employers under its domain. Political analysts may be inclined to comment that as elections to legislative Assemblies are fast approaching in five States, a long-pending issue that will polarize voters and help mobilise block votes is being resurrected.

Several parties like the Communists, JD(U), BSP, SP, the Dravidian parties of Tamil Nadu, the PMK and others have immediately supported the recommendation. A section of the BJP is also said to be favourable to the idea. Others like the BSP had included job reservation in the private sector as a poll promise in earlier elections.

Doubtless, the proposal for covering the private sector in the Reservation Policy is not altogether new. It is often raised with regard to SCs and STs and gives rise to hot debates and hotter reactions. But, with awareness level ever rising among people and political parties constantly on watch to pick issues that will divide and/or unite voters, the timing of re-opening the controversy and extending it to OBCs has raised more than ordinary interest.

Though the subject has been discussed on several occasions previously, it is for the first time a definite recommendation has come from the official Commission. The reason is said to be the environment of shrinking job openings in the public sector which nullify the benefits of job quota however sincerely it is pursued.

Read carefully. The Mandal Commission did not omit the private sector. In 2004, over 200 leading corporate houses and their associations communicated to the Prime Minister their willingness to adopt affirmative action to empower persons from socially and educationally backward.

The term “affirmative action” can be traced to US President John Kennedy who issued an Executive Order in 1961 to ensure that applicants are employed and employees are treated during employment without regard to their race, creed, colour, or national origin in federally funded projects.

In India, the demand is for “quota” – caste-wise, social-educational category-wise, religion-wise, region-wise, sex-wise and so on. Terms such as “affirmative action” or “equal employment opportunity” are rarely used. No country has any law like caste-based recruitment or reservation policy except India. The European Union insists on having on their boards at least 40% women members.

Gender consideration is foremost in these countries in the matter of equal employment opportunity. Our problem is our inability to come out of our preoccupation with caste. The leaders of OBCs particularly seem to want continuance of the caste system and all its manifestations particularly discriminatory practices.

The tendency to consider jobs in terms of monthly salary and allowances, perks and privileges, power and authority, holidays, pension and retirement benefits etc., is a root cause for the rise of the Reservation Policy. Whether in public or private sector, pros and cons of Reservation policy are the same.

If the trend is allowed to continue, absurd demand for quota in the selection of sports teams and dance troupes may emerge. It is time now to stop this game and seriously search for an alternative method of uplifting the backward and ending inequality of opportunities. Universal education and inclusive development through several kinds of skill training are our prime needs.

Equal opportunity will automatically follow. Politicians of every will not allow the demise of caste and are over-zealous to keep alive the system that is extremely useful in fighting election. The real OBCs must wake up.