Facing a wall of opposition from industry and business to job reservation in the private sector, the government may take up the matter after the assembly polls in five states.
"Everything will be considered by the Cabinet. The issue will be examined from every angle," Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment Meira Kumar said when asked whether any Constitutional amendment would be brought to ensure reservation for SC/STs in private sector.
In the midst of the raging controversy over the proposed move for reservation of seats for backward classes in central educational institutions, she said in an interview to PTI, she could not be forthright on the issue now in view of the model code of conduct in force due to assembly polls.
Already the Group of Ministers (GoM) on job quota in private sector headed by Sharad Pawar has reverted the matter to the Union Cabinet saying it cannot be implemented under the present constitution and the issue has to be taken up by the United Progressive Alliance leadership for a political decision.
The minister dismissed the idea of incorporating 'creamy layer' quota for reservation for the SC/STs in the government.
She said the Cabinet could take up the issue of job reservation in private sector after the polls and the matter could also be deliberated by top leaders of UPA constituents to ensure wider consultation for a collective view.
"No industry, no enterprise ever succeeded in a society which fails," Kumar said appealing to trade and industry to 'remove the mental bloc' towards the 'socially, educationally and economically deprived sections. "They should not feel threatened by SC/ST," she said.
Asked whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who has a good rapport with trade and industry, would take up the matter personally in yet another attempt to persuade them, she said, "He is a world renowned economist who knows when to do things."
On whether the UPA coordination Committee could take up the issue which is part of the NCMP of the alliance, the minister said government would ensure as much consultation as possible.
Kumar wanted the private sector to be sensitive to the needs of the 'most depressed' in the country and 'voluntarily' come forward for reservation in private sector.
She reminded trade and industry that after Independence, the government provided support and protection to private sector through 'quotas, permits, licences, concessions' to help them face the competition with public sector and grow.
Now the situation has arisen for giving support and protection to 'some people' and, therefore, industry and business should reciprocate.
This has been specially so at a time when industry is doing very well and economy is booming, she said.
"The barometer is how well the weakest of the society is doing. I hope the industrial houses -- like Tata and Bajaj, who have a history as their fathers and forefathers participated in the freedom struggle -- should understand the sensitivity of the need for reservation in the private sector for SC/STs," Kumar said.
More from rediff