Bangalore: Infosys Chairman and Chief Mentor N R Narayana Murthy on April 15 said he favoured reservation of jobs in the private sector based on economic criteria than on the basis of caste.

"Reservation is not wrong. We have a large number of people who have suffered for thousands of years and I am not against reservation, but it should be based on economics and not caste," Murthy told reporters in Bangalore.

He was replying to a suggestion made by Karnataka Chief Minister S M Krishna on April 14 that reservations in the private sector for the weaker sections may be inevitable over a period of time.

Krishna had said that globalisation and privatisation had seen a certain fall in vigil against discrimination, and to stem such failings, reservation must be made possible in the private sector.

"We need reservation in the industry where it does not matter what caste one person belongs to; if a person or family is hampered by resources, I think these people should be given reservation," Murthy said.

Asked whether reservation to economically weaker sections would be based on merit, he said, "We have to come out with some formula for recognising merit and also for those who have gone through the hardship".

PTI