The Prime Minister's Office has summoned the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India on July 14 to submit a progress report on the affirmative action taken by them.

Affirmative action here refers to direct efforts to ameliorate the educational and employment situation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

The United Progressive Alliance government had mooted reservation of jobs in the private sector for SCs, STs and OBCs to make the country's economic growth more inclusive. The associations had resisted the idea of reservation, though they had agreed to step up affirmative action.

The issue came to the fore again in May when, at a CII event, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh talked about the rising compensation of CEOs and the need for inclusive growth in the same breath, though the government soon clarified there was no proposal to extend job reservations to the private sector.

Apart from PMO functionaries and representatives of the three associations, the meeting is expected to be attended by other government officials.

The associations are expected to highlight the steps they have taken in the last two years on training and skill development.

"We have already identified 49 industrial training institutes. We have had negotiations with the labour ministry and state governments for 32 of these. Their management will be taken up by our members soon," said Ficci Secretary General Amit Mitra.

Assocham is expected to announce a Rs 5-crore fund for inclusive growth a day or two after the meeting.