PMO reviews affirmative steps by industry

The government on Tuesday asked the apex industry chambers to prepare their report card on affirmative action for Scheduled Castes/ Scheduled Tribes and weaker sections before August 15, so that it can be included in Prime Minister's Independence Day speech.

Prime Minister's Principal Secretary T K Nair reviewed the steps taken by India Inc to create jobs and develop skills for the under-privileged, with the senior office bearers of the Assocham, CII and Ficci.

"We were told that the report card should be given early so that the initiatives can be highlighted in the Independence Day speech of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh," sources said.

They said the PMO insisted on setting up the institution of ombudsmen by the chambers to oversee the efforts by their members on affirmative action.

While Assocham and Ficci have put in place the mechanism of ombudsman, CII has instead formed a committee for the same.

However, the PMO wanted a similar arrangement of an ombudsman, sources said adding the next meeting is expected by the middle of next month.

A similar meeting has been called on Wednesday on skill development by Nair.

The chambers, on their part, shared with Nair the initiatives taken so far in the areas of affirmative action as also the corporate social responsibility.