ABSTRACT
Affirmative action implies giving special consideration to a group of persons to overcome their marginalisation and enable them to obtain certain benefits which they otherwise would not get in open competition with others. The grossly inadequate, ill-equipped and least motivated labour enforcement machinery is tilted towards the employers and more so in this case because the workers come from a different state. The rationale of Affirmative Action policy is grounded in sharp inequalities both current and historical between marginalised groups and the higher caste groups in every indicator of human development, and economic and social well being. The affirmative action in favour of Dalits and Adivasis is also facing a very serious challenge from a skewed distribution of benefits within the marginalised social groups which is creating resentment among sub-groups left out in the percolation of benefits. The upper castes find this opposition an effective weapon to strike at the rationale and utility of reservation.
