As per the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), a Coordination Committee for Affirmative Action in the Private Sector was set up by the Prime Minister's Office in 2006. Secretary (DoPT), Secretary (SJ&E), Secretary (Tribal Affairs) and Secretary (DPIIT) are the members of the Committee. DPIIT is providing the secretarial assistance to the committee. So far 9 meetings of Coordination Committee have been held. In the 1st Coordination Committee meeting, it was stated that the best course for achieving progress on the issue of affirmative action is through voluntary action by the industry itself.

Accordingly, the Apex Industry Associations namely Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), Associated Chambers of Commerce & Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DICCI) have prepared Voluntary Code of Conduct (VCC) for their member companies centered around education, employability and entrepreneurship to achieve inclusion. Measures undertaken by the members of Industry Associations, inter-alia, include scholarships, vocational training, entrepreneurship development programmes, coaching etc.

This information was given by Minister of state for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri A. Narayanaswamy in the Lok Sabha in a written reply today.

*****

MG/RNM