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'Jobs to dalits is pvt sector's social duty'
Q&A: Mukul Wasnik, Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment
Sreelatha Menon / New Delhi February 7, 2010, 0:47 IST
Positives like dalit music and literature should be promoted while
reservations for the community can continue, Union Minister for Social
Justice and Empowerment, Mukul Wasnik, tells Sreelatha Menon
Are you satisfied with what industry has done so far on affirmative
action for dalits?
In the last few years, a dialogue has been started and industry bodies
like Assocham, Ficci and CII have adopted a code of conduct for their
members for providing jobs to dalits. A group of officers headed by
the secretary, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion, is
looking into the matter.
But dalit groups say all this has not translated into action on the ground.
These goals can be monitored and one level of the government is looking at them.
What do you personally feel about quotas for dalits in the private sector?
When these chambers adopt the steps that they have promised to, we
will see how far they are able to go. As for me, I think it is a
social obligation that the private sector has to fulfil. We will
follow what they do. A large number of people aspire for a place in
the private sector. I think it should be through persuasion. Industry
has to adopt measures voluntarily.
You recently said you were disappointed with the manner in which
industry had almost ignored the incentives the government provided it
for giving jobs to the disabled.
I didn't say I was disappointed. A scheme was started to encourage
employment of the disabled in the private sector. Under the scheme,
employers' contribution to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) and the
Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) will be paid by the
government for the first three years. We expected that industry would
come forward and a large number of people would get jobs. But reports
so far don't indicate that this scheme has been availed of in the
manner we had expected. So, in the last session of Parliament, some
questions were raised and I had a brief discussion with officials to
find out the reasons.
Was it because of lack of awareness?
I don't think so. Former finance minister P Chidambaram had announced
the scheme in the Budget and met a number of organisations. EPF and
ESIC also publicised the scheme and wrote to their member companies.
So, awareness is very much there. The deprived sections have huge
aspirations and want to get their rightful place in the society in
every field.
But the Congress has been in power most of the time. So, don't you
think it is too late in the day to address this now?
I don't think so. This government was the first to enter into a
dialogue with the private sector. Close to 45 million families have
got employment through the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme,
which is largely benefiting SCs/STs.
There is criticism that the quota system has brought complacency among
dalits and prevented excellence.
That is wrong. A large number of people have risen to the top due to
reservations.
It is said that the same families have been benefiting from quotas.
There is no plan to check this.
Reservations are aimed at giving a place to dalits not because of
their economic backwardness but because they are victims of social
stigma. So, the idea of a creamy layer is not acceptable. There is
political empowerment through election of dalits in Parliament,
Assembly, local bodies and panchayats, which leads to social and
economic empowerment. Due to quotas, dalits are able to send
representatives to Parliament and other elected bodies and this has
given them a political voice that can be heard. We still hear cases of
atrocities against dalits. So, the stigma continues.
The cases continue to be large in number. What is the reason?
Two years ago, 35,000 cases were filed under the Prevention of
Atrocities Act, of which 30,000 concerned SCs and 5,000 tribals. This
is the state of affairs. This is because of discrimination. This is
due to a mindset and we have to change this.
What has the government done to provide jobs for SCs?
This government (the previous UPA government) carried a special drive
to fill 60,000 vacancies left by the previous government.
Being called a dalit is still considered derogatory. Quotas harp on
the stigma suffered by dalits. Why doesn't the government think of
emphasising their positive legacies like dalit literature, music,
folklore, even cuisine? There is hardly any programme for that. The
private sector could contribute.
This is a good suggestion. We will discuss this and something should
be worked out.
The government's policy for senior citizens does not address their
need for cheap medicines and food. What are your plans?
We are in the process of reviewing existing policies and programmes.
We will soon come out with a programme. We know it is urgently needed.
The earlier policy yielded an Act for senior citizens, which was
notified by 22 states. Tribunals are being constituted and in Kerala
they have even started registering cases. Ten years have passed since
the law and we will now review it. Today, if there are 75 million
senior citizens, this figure will be 175 million by 2020. The category
of people who are 80 and above is also increasing rapidly. Their needs
will be different.
Do you propose to talk to the health ministry on the matter of
subsidised medicines for conditions typical of the old? Many diseases
remain undetected and there is no system of outreach to detect
diseases in old among the poor.
We are reviewing our policy. We will take all suggestions . These
things need to be addressed when we have a new policy.
You are in the process of overhauling the Disabilities Act. What is the purpose?
The final shape of the Act will be ready next week.We have tried to
change the Disabilities Act, 1995, to match the UN Convention on
Persons with Disabilities. Discussions are on and there will be a new
Act soon.
You used to head the Youth Congress. What do you think about the
changes that are being introduced by your successor, Rahul Gandhi.
I think if there is a system of nomination, it is bound to be
questioned. But if a person is democratically elected, he is more
powerful, which benefits the organisation. So, Rahul Gandhi has put
the organisation in a democratic mould. Now, decisions of elected
leaders will be much more acceptable. Those holding offices in the
Youth Congress will have more authority. It will attract people from
all sections of society, especially in this period of knowledge
explosion and the spread of the media.
The government is not implementing the NGO (non-government
organisation) policy or facilitating their role in development.
Our ministry may do something for capacity-building of NGOs soon. We
are preparing a capsule and will reach out to NGOs. Some support can
help draw out the best in them.
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