Date:20/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/20/stories/2008012055910800.htm

National

Assocham regrets Mayawati’s decision on quota

NEW DELHI: The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham) has strongly opposed the decision of the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh for imposing reservation on Indian Inc. that intend to work with the State government by obtaining contracts from it.

Wide debate urged

In a statement issued here, D.S. Rawat, secretary-general, Assocham, said the issue should be widely debated across the country and the Centre should accordingly come out with a national policy that could be complied with.

He expressed the fear that with U.P. coming out with this kind of reservation policy, the productivity of Indian Inc. would be eroded to a large extent and its repercussions would be so cascading that other States might follow it.

Therefore, such decisions should be opposed tooth and nail as they were not in the national interest, said Mr. Rawat.