Quotas may cover govt purchases too
The proposal, according to sources, was drawn from the procurement policy of the Madhya Pradesh government, the first such measure adopted in the country by any state.
By TNN |
NEW DELHI: Where BR Ambedkar and even Mayawati had feared to tread, steel minister Ram Vilas Paswan has rushed in. His sub-group, part of a ministerial panel (GoM) headed by defence minister Pranab Mukherjee on Dalit affairs, has mooted a proposal that the central government source 30% of all purchases from entrepreneurs belonging to SC/ST categories.
“The mandate of the GoM headed by Pranab Mukherjee is to suggest measures that will improve the lot of people belonging to this category. Different sub-groups of the GoM are looking at different aspects and the group headed by Mr Paswan has made this recommendation,” a government source told ET.
According to Mr Paswan, chief of Lok Janshakti Party and aspirant leader of the oppressed castes, unless effective marketing of the goods manufactured by SC/ST entrepreneurs was accomplished, their financial lot would not improve. Besides, it would generate gainful employment.
The recommendations, according to sources, were drawn from the procurement policy of the Madhya Pradesh government, the first such measure adopted in the country by any state. Sources said that the GoM has directed the ministry of small-scale industries to draft a statutory procurement policy to make ‘preferential purchases’ from SC/ST traders and suppliers mandatory by the government.
The recommendation assumes significance as it has come against the backdrop of growing demand for reservation in the private sector. However, the private sector is putting its foot down on this one saying such a measure would compromise its competitive edge. The GoM is also considering to declare a village with over 40% Dalit population as the ‘Prime Minister’s ideal village,’ with all facilities including health, education and drinking water.
and electricity. Under the scheme, he said there would be a residential middle school for every three village panchayats, a residential high school for every block and Navodaya residential college in every district exclusively for Dalits.
“The mandate of the GoM headed by Pranab Mukherjee is to suggest measures that will improve the lot of people belonging to this category. Different sub-groups of the GoM are looking at different aspects and the group headed by Mr Paswan has made this recommendation,” a government source told ET.
According to Mr Paswan, chief of Lok Janshakti Party and aspirant leader of the oppressed castes, unless effective marketing of the goods manufactured by SC/ST entrepreneurs was accomplished, their financial lot would not improve. Besides, it would generate gainful employment.
The recommendations, according to sources, were drawn from the procurement policy of the Madhya Pradesh government, the first such measure adopted in the country by any state. Sources said that the GoM has directed the ministry of small-scale industries to draft a statutory procurement policy to make ‘preferential purchases’ from SC/ST traders and suppliers mandatory by the government.
The recommendation assumes significance as it has come against the backdrop of growing demand for reservation in the private sector. However, the private sector is putting its foot down on this one saying such a measure would compromise its competitive edge. The GoM is also considering to declare a village with over 40% Dalit population as the ‘Prime Minister’s ideal village,’ with all facilities including health, education and drinking water.
and electricity. Under the scheme, he said there would be a residential middle school for every three village panchayats, a residential high school for every block and Navodaya residential college in every district exclusively for Dalits.
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