Mumbai: Advocating the need for a "voluntary action" by the corporate sector in providing reservations in jobs for weaker sections, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today (Oct 6, 2004) said this section of the society also needs a fairer share in employment.

"It can be done through a voluntary action by the corporate sector," Singh said when his attention was drawn to reservations for minorities and weaker sections in the private sector.

When his attention was drawn to a Bill brought out by the Maharashtra Government, Singh said, "If any Government is going beyond it, then it is in their Right".

The Prime Minister said he has asked Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, who heads a group of ministers in this regard, to hold discussions with the private sector.

Asked about the opposition to reservations in private sector, Singh said, "nobody can avoid it as it was going to be a national policy."

The Prime Minister further asserted that "nobody can prevent an idea, whose time as come."

Referring to weaker section, Singh said corporate sector can devise a strategy to support these sections, which are lagging behind either because of their background or inheritance.