Bihar becomes first state to implement private sector ‘quota’

The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Nitish Kumar, approving a proposal moved by the general administration department.

The Bihar Government took a major step by starting reservation in services and manpower outsourced from non-government firms, virtually introducing quota in private jobs. “The cabinet has approved the proposal to implement reservation in all outsourced services,” said principal secretary, cabinet secretariat, Brijesh Mehrotra. “It will be implemented by way of roster or panel for employment maintained by different government departments.” Department officials said that Bihar became the first state to implement such change, to be followed by Karnataka, which is planning to enforce 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in blue-collar jobs.

Principal Secretary, general administration department, Amir Subhani explained how the quota will work: “A very clear example will be computer operators working in government departments. They are procured by Beltron (Bihar State Electronics Development Corporation) from private providers. The reservation policy will now be applicable for all such outsourced operators.”

The decision will also impact all employees who are outsourced from external agencies. Bihar already has 50 per cent reservation in government jobs and institutions. There is also 35 % horizontal reservation to women – 35 % of each subcategory quota must be filled up by women. General administration additional secretary Rajendra Ram said reservation will also apply in government grant-run institutions.