New Delhi: The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) says it is opposed to any mandatory provision for reserving jobs for weaker sections in the private sector.

YC Deveshwar, the new president of CII, in his first press conference said, "We are not in agreement with reservations." However, he said that India Inc was "in agreement with the objectives of reservation".

Deveshwar said the presence of Left parties, which formed part of the UPA government at the Centre, was a major challenge in the face of their objection to privatisation and FDI.

However, he also said that the government had a national common minimum programme (NCMP) as per which it had to run. He said there was a need to devise a "long-term productive strategy", by closer coordination between the private sector and the government, to facilitate job creation, which was needed for the country's growth.

Deveshwar said the GDP growth rate is likely to touch 7.2 per cent in 2005-06. He said to attain this CII would focus on sustainability of employability and employment, rural economy, infrastructure, natural and social capital, and governance. To increase employment opportunities, CII plans to set up a skill development programme for all students after class VIII and upgrade 100 ITIs through industry management committees.

He said CII would be a catalyst in realising the $150-billion opportunity for investment in building infrastructure.

According to Deveshwar, CII has identified seven sectors in the economy with high employment generation potential. These are textiles, leather, food processing, tourism, paper, knowledge-based industries, and gems and jewellery.

Deveshwar said the forecast for the GDP growth rate in 2005-06 was 7.5 per cent.

He said CII is taking pro-active measures to ensure that employment opportunities are available vis-à-vis skilled manpower and has committed itself to running skill development programmes and setting up of 500 new centres for vocational training. It has also pledged commitment to upgrading the 100-odd ITIs in the country.

He, "We have coined an acronym that captures our efforts — SEEKS, standing for social, economic and ecological development through application of knowledge for sustained competitiveness and growth."