In the first such interaction since 1977, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh told the members of the Parliamentary Forum of Scheduled Caste/ Scheduled Tribe MPs, that the central Government will make sure that at least 80% of the vacancies in SC/ST reservation quota jobs in Government will be filled by end of 2005.

Stating that education is key to the empowerment of SCs/STs, Dr Singh said that market forces will not be able to address the needs and aspirations of weaker sections of society. The Government has a role and an obligation in providing access to education and health care and it will have to fulfill this obligation.

Referring to the Supreme Court judgement on reservations in private educational institutions, Dr Singh said the Government will protect effective equality of opportunity. He informed the forum that the Government will engage the services of the Senior Counsel Shri Parasaran to further address the issue in Court. The Union Human Resources Development Minister has convened a conference of State Chief Ministers to discuss the issues raised by the judgment.

With respect to other demands relating to reservations in Government, the Prime Minister assured the MPs that all matters will be referred to the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Dalit Affairs for early action.

The Prime Minister also assured the MPs that the Tribal Land Rights Bill will be brought to Parliament, as stated by him in his Independence Day address.

On the issue of reservations in the private sector, the Prime Minister assured the MPs that he is engaged in a dialogue with all political parties and leaders of business and trade. He said it is his endeavour to "persuade the private sector to accept the logic of affirmative action" and added, "the Government has the obligation to do the right thing. Consensual change leaves behind less social bitterness."