New Delhi: Virtually opposing any move to introduce reservation in the private sector, Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) today (June 21, 2004) said rather than adopting "patchwork" approach, Government should work to upgrade skills of the weaker sections of the society to make them employable.

"Merit cannot be compromised. We are not quiet (on the issue of reservation in private sector)...we cannot afford to compromise competitiveness in corporates. Rather than a patchwork approach, Government should try to upgrade skills of the backward section," Confederation of Indian Industry president Sunil Kant Munjal said.

CII was also trying to help the weaker sections of the society by providing them requisite skills so that they have competitive edge in the job market, he said.

"We already have initiated a dialogue with Government on the issue but merit will not be compromised," Munjal said.

It was unfortunate that many polytechnics were still providing training in areas like typing which has become totally obsolete now, CII said.

Counselling and coaching should be provided to the downtrodden to make them confident rather than provide reservation, he said.