http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/edit-page/Quota-2-0/articleshow/9959219.cms
COMMENT
Quota 2.0
TNN | Sep 13, 2011, 12.00AM IST
This could be a quota with a difference. The government's proposal to
make 4% of its annual purchases from dalit- and tribal-run units, if
properly executed, can open up new avenues in affirmative action. It
has the virtue of breaking away from the tired paradigm of expanding
job- and education-based quotas. By integrating dalit- and tribal-run
businesses into the supply chain and thereby boosting entrepreneurship
among India's disadvantaged sections, it will serve to integrate them
into the vibrant sectors of the new economy. It is well known that
more and more dalits have been shifting from traditional agriculture
to small businesses. To help them forge linkages with industry and
government, various economic forums, like the Pune-based Dalit Indian
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have emerged. The going however has
been tough. Financial bottlenecks and lack of government support have
hindered the budding entrepreneurs.
The Centre's latest proposal, even if with an eye on next year's UP
elections, can undoubtedly assist struggling entrepreneurs as well as
job creation. Dalits need to find their place in the mainstream
economy. Given yawning fiscal deficits, not to mention imploding
education and job reservations for more and more social groups,
there's no more scope for expansion in government jobs. The present
quota regime has outlived its utility. Rather than extricate SCs/STs
from poverty and backwardness it has created elites within target
groups, the benefits barely trickling down. Clearly, affirmative
action has to move from dole to economic empowerment. The present
proposal could fetch dalit enterprises business to the tune of Rs
25,000 crore to Rs 94,000 crore. Having made the right intervention,
the government should now ensure its implementation.
INFORMATION OVERLOAD?
Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to ZESTMedia-digest@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/
PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com
TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:-
If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to ZESTCaste-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/
Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/
No comments:
Post a Comment