A coordination Committee on Affirmative Action for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in Private Sector was set up by the Prime Minister’s office in 2006. So far 9 meetings of Coordination Committee have been held. In the first Coordination Committee meeting, it was stated that the best course for achieving progress on the issue of affirmative action is through voluntary action by the industry itself.

In the context of reservation in private sector, the Industry representatives are of the view that reservation is not a solution but are willing to partner with the Government and appropriate agencies in enhancing and expanding current recruitment policy for the marginalized section, especially the SC and ST at ll levels, as also to encourage skill development and training.

Accordingly, the Apex Industry Associations have prepared Voluntary Code of Conduct (VCC) for their member companies centered around education, employability, entrepreneurship and employment to achieve inclusion. Measures undertaken by the member of Industry Associations, inter-alia, includes scholarships, vocation training, entrepreneurship programmes and coaching etc.

In the 9^th meeting Industry Associations were requested to take more proactive measures under affirmative action in terms of conducting full day sessions with their member companies for this initiative, adoption of villages and encouragement of SC/ST entrepreneurs, merit scholarships to research scholars and the career guidance programmes for Tribal Students and support and contribute in the national Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme of Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and explore the possibility of placement as well. Industry Associations were further requested to enroll at least 25% of Apprentices from SC/ST Communities.

As per information given by the Department of Personnel and Training, the number of OBCs who got jobs in the various Ministries/Departments under the Central Government during the last years is as under:

Ministry/Department-wise data on direct recruitment is however, not available.

The initiative/welfare scheme being implemented by the Government for the upliftment of OBCs (including number of Beneficiaries and Total expenditure during the year 2019-20) are:

(i)  Pre-Matric Scholarship for OBCs- 94.52 lakhs beneficiaries - Rs.201.57 cr. expenditure.

(ii)  Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC students- 40.94 lakhs beneficiaries – Rs. 1294.32 cr. expenditure.

(iii)  Dr. Ambedkar Scheme of Interest Subsidy on Educational Loan for Overseas Studies for OBCs/EBCs – 3296 beneficiaries – Rs.26.09 cr. expenditure.

(iv)  National Fellowship for OBCs – 1193 beneficiaries- Rs. 52.50 cr. expenditure.

(v)  Construction of Hostels for OBC Boys and Girls – 1750 beneficiaries – Rs.21.28 cr. expenditure.

(vi)  Assistance for Skill Development of OBCs/DNTs/EBCs - .

(vii)  Launch of Venture Capital Fund for OBCs.

(viii)  Low Interest Loan/Finance Assistance Schemes of National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) for OBCs.

(ix) For the EWS sections, 10% reservation in Central Government appointments and for admissions in the Central Government educational institutions.

This information was given by Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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MG/RNM/IA