Though it is a voluntary commitment, the member companies are proactive and enthusiastic about it, says Vijayawada zone vice-chairman V.V.M. Krishna

The CII is promoting non-discrimination against Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe employees, applicants or vendors.

CII member companies were proactive and enthusiastic in following the CII code, said CII Vijayawada zone vice-chairman V.V.M.Krishna.

Speaking at a session on ‘Doing Business: Opportunities and challenges’ in an industrial motivation campaign to promote entrepreneurship among SCs and STs organised jointly by the CII, the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and industry (DICCI), the APIIC, and Andhra Pradesh government here, Mr. Krishna said that the CII had developed a code of conduct on affirmative action being followed by member companies. The code related to non-discrimination, assistance and transparency with respect to employees, applicants or vendors from the SC and ST communities. Though it was a voluntary commitment, the member companies were proactive and enthusiastic about it.

“Various companies have evolved different programmes and there was a lot of enthusiasm about greater engagement with society and the underprivileged. The support to CII for this from the industry has been spontaneous,” Mr Krishna said. CII members from Andhra Pradesh have shown a lot of interest in contributing to the scholarships for SC and ST candidates through Foundation for Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA). As many as 40 companies signed the Code of Conduct and 2,630 students were being extended educational support, Mr Krishna said.

DICCI president Ravi Kumar Narra and Efftronics System MD D.Rama Krishna spoke.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Vijayawada / by Special Correspondent / June 20th, 2013