The Apprentices (Amendment) Bill, 2006, that seeks to provide reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) in apprenticeship training, was adopted by Parliament on Friday.

The Lok Sabha approved the Apprentices (Amendment) Bill, 2006, with voice vote amidst pandemonium over the nuclear deal. The bill had been passed by the Rajya Sabha last week. The bill was necessitated as the original Act of 1961 provided reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes only and there was no provision for OBCs.

The bill seeks to provide flexibility up to 50 per cent in engagement of apprentices in a trade provided that overall quota fixed for the establishment remains the same.

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill, the employer shall bear the cost of imparting instruction instead of the government.