Govt asks India Inc to adopt Dalit districts

The government has requested industry chambers such as CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM to adopt 27 districts with high Dalit and tribal populations - 47 % or above as per the 2011 census.

The government has requested industry chambers such as CII, Ficci and Assocham to adopt 27 districts with high Dalit and tribal populations - 47 % or above as per the 2011 census.

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The idea is to help these marginal groups, economically and socially, through skill development for gainful employment.

With Lok Sabha polls less than two years away - and many key states going to polls during the next year - the move is being seen as part of a Dalit and tribal outreach programme by the UPA to sustain its electoral base.

The move is modelled on Ficci's adoption of Sonabhadra district in UP, which has 47 % population of SC/STs.

The suggestions were given during a meeting of the representatives from the central government and the top industry bodies at the Prime Minister's Office on Monday to assess affirmative action in favour of marginal groups and deliberate on the way forward.

The affirmative action drive has been in cold storage for some years and the latest meet seems to be a bid to revive the effort.

However, private sector reservation - a key demand of Dalit groups - hasn't been mentioned, with affirmative action - or voluntary facilitation of employment avenues for marginal groups - being the new mantra.