The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) has constituted a special committee to discuss the issue of bringing the minority communities into the domain of affirmative action. The Assocham managing committee decided at a meeting this afternoon that the committee would submit its reports in a month.

The chamber’s latest decision comes soon after the government’s instruction to the chambers, ordering them to furnish details of SC/ ST employees’ strength in their coming annual reports. The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) had written a letter to major industry chambers about a couple of weeks ago on the issue of SC/ST employees’ data in the private sector.

Assocham also took serious note of a letter written by the Ministry of Minority Affairs to the chambers about a month ago, seeking information regarding emerging jobs in the private sector. However, it was not specifically stated in the letter that minorities should be included in any affirmative action plan. It was, however, clearly stated in the letter that a list of jobs would be made to with respect to the welfare of the minority communities.

Although the Ministry of Minority Affairs says it has sent the letter to all the major chambers, including Assocham, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) and Nasscom, Ficci has denied receiving it.

A Ficci spokesperson said, “We have not received any such letter from the ministry. The issue has not come up yet for discussion at any level in the chamber. We will cross check with the Ministry of Minority Affairs about the letter. Since the issue has been brought to our notice, it will be discussed at the appropriate forum.”

... contd.