More affirmative action needed from private sector: Wasnik

Union minister for social justice and empowerment Mukul Wasnik today said the private sector needs to do more in affirmative action for providing employment opportunities to the deprived sections of society.

“Although, the various industry chambers in the country and their individual members have taken the initiative for affirmative action, still more needs to be done,” Wasnik told Business Standard here.

He said the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Assocham, Ficci and PHD Chamber had formulated their individual ‘voluntary codes of conduct’ and the process for their adoption was on.

“The affirmative action could be in many forms, including skill development and employment,” he noted.

The minister said a committee headed by a secretary to the prime minister was monitoring the process in this regard and holding regular dialogues with the chambers.

Wasnik was in the city to review the implementation status of the Protection of Civil Rights Act and the Scheduled Castes & Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of atrocities) Act in Uttar Pradesh.