Bill mandates 50% quota in management positions, 70% in non-management positions
Karnataka’s Siddaramaiah cabinet has adopted a bill mandating local reservation in the private sector. The measure, which was approved by the state cabinet, stipulates that Kannadigas be appointed to 50% of management jobs and 70% of non-management positions. The decision sparked a massive backlash from the industry.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the decision on X, stating that the state cabinet adopted a measure on Monday mandating the recruitment of 100% Kannadigas for lower-level (Group ‘C and D’) positions in all private enterprises in the state. However, in response to the outcry, the Chief Minister erased the post.
However, the bill’s draft does not indicate 100% reservation for Group C and D posts.
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Primary goal of government is to ‘look after the welfare of Kannadigas’, says Siddaramaiah
Speaking to X, Siddaramaiah stated, “The cabinet meeting held on Monday approved the bill to fix 50 per cent reservation for administrative posts and 75 per cent for non-administrative posts for Kannadigas in private industries and other organisations of the state.”
He clarified the choice by saying, “It is our government’s wish that Kannadigas should not be deprived of jobs in the land of Kannada and should be given an opportunity to build a comfortable life in their motherland” .
Siddaramaiah described his government as “pro-Kannada” and declared that its primary goal is to “look after the welfare of Kannadigas”.
After the decision garnered much criticism, the state government stated that it will speak with the industry to address the issues.
“The labour department has introduced the bill. They have yet to confer with the industry, the Minister of Industry, and the Department of Information Technology. I am confident that before drafting the bill’s guidelines, they will confer with the different ministries and, more crucially, the industry,” said state minister Priyank Kharge.
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What does the bill state?
The Bill defines a local candidate as someone who was born in Karnataka, has lived in the state for at least 15 years, and can speak, read, and write Kannada legibly.
Candidates must have a secondary school certificate that includes Kannada as a language. If not, they must pass a Kannada proficiency test administered by the nodal agency designated by the government, according to the Bill.
If suitable local applicants are not available, companies and establishments should work with the government to train them within three years.
Failure to comply with the Employment of Local Candidates Act may attract penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000.
