New Delhi: Cutting across party lines, members in the Lok Sabha today (July 16, 2004) strongly advocated extension of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes and Backward Classes to the private sector.

Resuming debate on a private member's resolution moved by S Ajaya Kumar, they asked the UPA (United Progressive Alliance) Government to bring a legislation to this effect.

Downsizing of the Government is a must and it is wrong to state that unemployment scenario has aggravated due to the disinvestment policy of the previous Government, B Mahtab (BJD) said during the debate.

"But, I fully support the resolution," he said.

However, quoting noted jurist Fali S Nariman, he said it was a good move in theory but very difficult to implement and monitor.

He mentioned the move was initiated by none other than former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee who in December 2003 had said, "if there is reservation in Government jobs, why not in private jobs?"

Madhusudan Mistry (Cong) said as private enterprises thrive with subsidies and tax benefits from Government, they should provide reservation for the downtrodden.

Echoing similar sentiments, Lalit Mohan Suklabaidya (Cong) said the institutions, which get recognition and grants from the Government must give the benefit of reservation to the poor.