Ram Vilas Paswan pitches for reservation in private sector

Also demands ncreasing state and Central budgetary allocation for SCs and Scheduled Tribes

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today made a pitch for reservation for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and backward communities in private sector jobs.

Paswan, leader of the Lok Janshankti Party (LJP) and minister for consumer affairs, food and public distribution, said his party feels that private companies, who have been availing benefits from the government, should provide reservation to Dalits in employment.

The Union minister also made a strong pitch for increasing state and Central budgetary allocation for SCs and Scheduled Tribes, in proportion to their population.

"There should also be enhanced representation to the backward classes in judiciary," Paswan told PTI here.

The Modi government at the Centre is committed to welfare of Dalits, Paswan said. Development of Chaityabhumi at Mumbai and Deekshabhumi at Nagpur are being expedited, coinciding with the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, he added.

Paswan, who undertook a tour of Aurangabad in Marathwada region to inaugurate a function to mark 20 months of the NDA government at the Centre, said various initiatives like PM's Jan Dhan Yojana, Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Crop Insurance Scheme, will prove to be 'Ramban' (panacea) for the common man.

"At Aurangabad, I met leaders of BJP, LJP, Shiv Sena and addressed a public meeting," the Union minister said.

Asked about his views on the performance of the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar, Paswan said, "the present regime there has failed miserably on the law and order front."

"Jungle Raj has returned in Bihar," the Union minister said.

Paswan said the new Consumer Protection Act is likely to be passed in the budget session of Parliament, adding the government has taken efforts to make it user-friendly.

"The amended bill, now with the Standing Committee, caters to the interests of the 125 crore consumers in this era of e-commerce," Paswan said.

"On the compensation front, we have raised the powers of district consumer forums, from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 crore," he said.

The minister also addressed a review meeting of the Food Corporation of India here.

Paswan said during his visit to the drought-hit Marathwada, he received representation from various parties and organisations, seeking relief for affected farmers.

"Our government will protect interests of farmers and give necessary help," the minister said.