CII-DGR MoU is correct and historic step, says Arun Jaitley

Union Finance and Defence Minister, Arun Jaitley said that the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) - Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is a significant partnership to build Corporate-Ex Servicemen (ESM) relationship while speaking at the Inaugural Session of DGR National Corporate Conclave here.

"Mid-career and late-career stage jobs are relatively more in the private sector than public sector. Corporate India needs trained mind and personnel. Ex Servicemen constitute a huge resource of trained and disciplined manpower. These men have worked in a different environment. For them commitment to duty is paramount. They show exemplary discipline and very high integrity. They are physically fit and can perform variety of jobs. The existing situation, wherein corporate sector needs men with such qualities and ESM need reemployment, ideally fits into the supply and demand principle of economics," Jaitley said.

He further said that ESM are retired but not tired. Hinting towards India Inc, he said that it is very important that that segment of society comes forward and absorb the ESM into jobs.

Jaitley added, "CII-DGR MoU is the continuation of the act of gratitude and I am fortunate to be associated with this."

Chief of Staff Committee and Air Chief Marshal, Arup Raha said that there is a limited scope for the ESM in the government sector post-retirement. On the contrary, private sector has the potential to absorb ESM in huge numbers. He pointed out that CII-DGR partnership would benefit corporate sector as well as ESM.

Ajai Shriram, President CII said that as per a CII study, the defence and aerospace sector alone has the potential of creating one million new jobs in the country. However, the manufacturing sector requires proactive measures to bridge the skill gap.

He emphasized that with a vast experience in skill development, CII would be happy to work with the Ministry of Defence and help ex-servicemen to reorient for the second innings either in the industry or as entrepreneurs.

Some of the points mentioned in the MoU are: organising awareness sessions on the availability of skilled Ex-Servicemen for suitable placements in the Industry; conduct a National Annual Conclave on the subject in New Delhi; assist in formulating a web based DGR job portal and its interface with the corporate clients; identify specific skill requirement for industry and preparation of ESM for the same and facilitate CSR mechanism for the corporates.