Devil's Advocate: Kamal Nath

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Karan Thapar: Hello and welcome to Devil's Advocate. What is the Government's position on reservations in the government sector and how does it respond to the concerns of industry - those are the two key issues that I shall raise today in an exclusive interview with the Minister of Industry and Commerce Kamal Nath.

Minister, lets start by establishing the government's position. The UPA's Common Minimum Programme says that the UPA government is very sensitive to the issue of affirmative action including reservations in the private sector. Is that a commitment to reservation or is it a commitment to affirmative action? Which is it?

Kamal Nath: It is a commitment to all inclusive growth. We must recognise that in our country, when we are on this growth trajectory - like never before - this growth cannot be urban-centric, class-centric or region-centric. We have to ensure all-inclusive growth.

Karan Thapar: Quite right, I accept that. All inclusive growth in fact has to be a priority for any government, but the problem is that the language of the Common Minimum Programme talks about affirmative action including reservation and industry wants to know - Is that a commitment ot affirmative action or is it a commitment to reservation?

Kamal Nath:It is a commitment to affirmative action, which does not preclude reservation.

Karan Thapar: So, it is a commitment to both.

Kamal Nath:We want the industry to respond to this concept of all inclusive growth because if industry does not respond - let me make this very clear - in the long term, it will pay a price for it because we are a democracy.

Karan Thapar: Absolutely, so what you said now - I am repeating it for clarity - It is a commitment for affirmative action, including reservations.

Kamal Nath:Which does not preclude...

Karan Thapar:Which means it is a commitment to both.

Kamal Nath: It is a commitment to move forward and that is in terms of the larger objective which the government has. And it is not objective; I believe it is an imperative.

Karan Thapar: As Industries Minister, what you are therefore saying to me is that reservations, is a sense, is on the agenda and it could be implemented because your commitment is to affirmative action with does not preclude reservation.