The Karnataka cabinet has approved a bill that mandates 100% reservation for Kannadigas, or local residents, in C and D grade positions in private industries
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the decision on social media but later deleted the post following criticism from industry leaders. However, he reposted the announcement on his X handle.
ರಾಜ್ಯದ ಖಾಸಗಿ ಕೈಗಾರಿಕೆಗಳು ಹಾಗೂ ಇತರೆ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಆಡಳಿತಾತ್ಮಕ ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಶೇ.50 ಹಾಗೂ ಆಡಳಿತಾತ್ಮಕವಲ್ಲದ ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಶೇ.75 ಮೀಸಲಾತಿ ನಿಗದಿಪಡಿಸುವ ವಿಧೇಯಕಕ್ಕೆ ಸೋಮವಾರ ನಡೆದ ಸಚಿವ ಸಂಪುಟ ಸಭೆಯು ಒಪ್ಪಿಗೆ ನೀಡಿದೆ.
ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಕನ್ನಡದ ನೆಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಉದ್ಯೋಗ ವಂಚಿತರಾಗುವುದನ್ನು ತಪ್ಪಿಸಿ, ತಾಯ್ನಾಡಿನಲ್ಲಿ… pic.twitter.com/Rz6a0vNCBz
— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) July 17, 2024
The chief minister emphasized that the Congress-led government is “pro-Kannada” and aims to provide more job opportunities for Kannadigas. Despite the backlash, the state government assured that it will engage in broader consultations and discussions on the matter.
“The cabinet meeting on Monday approved the bill to establish 50% reservation for administrative posts and 75% for non-administrative posts for Kannadigas in private industries and other organizations. Our government believes that Kannadigas should not be deprived of jobs in their homeland and should have opportunities to build a comfortable life. We are a pro-Kannada government, and our priority is the welfare of Kannadigas,” Siddaramaiah stated on X.
State IT Minister Priyank Kharge requested the CM to involve industry experts and other departments in the bill’s clauses before implementation. “There’s no need to panic; we will have wider consultations and arrive at a common ground,” he said, adding that the government’s aim is to provide jobs to local residents while attracting investments.
Industry reactions were swift. Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw cautioned that while the goal is to provide jobs for locals, the state’s leading position in technology should not be compromised. “As a tech hub, we need skilled talent. There must be exemptions for highly skilled recruitment. @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @PriyankKharge,” she posted on X.
As a tech hub we need skilled talent and whilst the aim is to provide jobs for locals we must not affect our leading position in technology by this move. There must be caveats that exempt highly skilled recruitment from this policy. @siddaramaiah @DKShivakumar @PriyankKharge https://t.co/itYWdHcMWw
— Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (@kiranshaw) July 17, 2024
Former Infosys Executive Mohandas Pai criticized the bill as unconstitutional. “This bill should be scrapped. It is discriminatory, regressive, and against the constitution. @Jairam_Ramesh, is the government to certify who we are? This is a fascist bill like in Animal Farm. Unbelievable that @INCIndia can propose such a bill. Will a government officer sit on private sector recruitment committees? Will people have to take a language test?” he questioned on X.
This bill should be junked. It is discriminatory, regressive and against the constitution @Jairam_Ramesh is govt to certify who we are? This is a fascist bill as in Animal Farm, unbelievable that @INCIndia can come up with a bill like this- a govt officer will sit on recruitment… https://t.co/GiWq42ArEu
— Mohandas Pai (@TVMohandasPai) July 17, 2024
Politicians like Jayant Chaudhary of the National Democratic Alliance also denounced the reservation as “regressive and bad economics.” “Karnataka mandating up to 100% reservations in the private sector for locals is regressive & bad economics! Such measures by any state violate the constitutional rights of all Indians!” he stated on X.
Karnataka State mandating up to 100% reservations in Private sector for locals is regressive & bad economics! I have spoken on this previously as well & I believe such measures by any State are violative of constitutional rights of all Indians!
— Jayant Singh (@jayantrld) July 17, 2024
Details of the Bill
The bill mandates that “Any industry, factory, or other establishment shall appoint 50% local candidates in management categories and 70% in non-management categories.” If candidates do not have a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language, they must pass a Kannada proficiency test specified by the ‘Nodal Agency.’
If qualified local candidates are unavailable, establishments must collaborate with the government or its agencies within three years to train them. Establishments may apply for relaxation from the provisions of this Act if sufficient local candidates are unavailable. However, the relaxation cannot be less than 25% for management and 50% for non-management categories.
Industries must inform the nodal agency about compliance with the Act’s provisions. The nodal agency will verify reports from employers and submit implementation reports to the government. It can request records or documents from employers for verification purposes.
The government may appoint an officer not below the rank of Assistant Labour Commissioner to ensure compliance. Employers who violate the Act may face penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000, with an additional Rs 100 penalty for each day the violation continues.
Support from Pro-Kannada Activists
Pro-Kannada activists have welcomed the cabinet’s decision, criticizing industry leaders like Mohandas Pai and Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw for their comments on the perceived lack of local talent. “This bill provides a cushioning effect for Kannadigas. It doesn’t mean that any unqualified individual will get the job,” stated pro-Kannada activist Chethan Jeeral. He also noted that the government is considering suggestions and consultations from existing bodies while moving forward with the bill.
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