The Karnataka Government has temporarily halted the progress of a bill that mandates private firms to reserve jobs for Kannadigas, intending to further study the proposal. The bill requires companies in the State to prioritise local hires, with 70 per cent of non-management roles and 50 per cent of management-level jobs reserved for Kannadigas. It was approved on Monday.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced on X that the bill, which aims to implement reservation for Kannadigas in private sector institutions, industries, and enterprises, is still in preparation. He stated that a final decision would be made after comprehensive discussions in the next cabinet meeting.
Pro-Kannada Government’s Stance
In his initial announcement, the Chief Minister stressed that his “pro-Kannada Government” is committed to ensuring all Kannadigas have the opportunity to lead a comfortable life in their homeland and avoid being deprived of jobs. His post on X indicated that the bill mandated 100 per cent reservation at certain levels.
Mixed Reactions and Controversy
The announcement sparked outrage and debate. Business leaders, including Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, and the Opposition, led by the BJP, criticised the Congress Government. However, Union Minister Ramdas Athawale expressed support, advocating for measures that benefit backward classes, including OBC, SC, and ST communities.
The Chief Minister’s post was later deleted after Labour Minister Santosh Lad provided clarifications. He explained that the bill proposes 50 per cent reservation at the management level and 70 per cent at the non-management level. If companies cannot find suitable skilled candidates locally, they are allowed to hire from outside the State.
Industry Response
The quota proposal received mixed reactions. Some businesspersons labelled it “discriminatory,” while others, like Mazumdar-Shaw, acknowledged the need to ensure jobs for locals but added caveats. The software industry body Nasscom, representing Bharat’s $200 billion technology industry, called for the bill’s withdrawal, arguing that it could drive companies away due to a scarcity of local skilled talent.
Government’s Response to Concerns
In response to these concerns, Labour Minister Santosh Lad assured that the government respects the apprehensions and views of the industry and is willing to engage in discussions. The draft bill, created by the Labour Department, highlighted that jobs are often given to individuals from northern States who then settle in Karnataka. It suggested that companies benefitting from state-provided infrastructure should reserve jobs for locals.
Background of the Proposed Policy
The proposed policy reflects recommendations by the Sarojini Mahishi Committee, which advocated that large, medium, and small-scale industrial units with over 50 workers reserve 65 per cent and 80 per cent of Group A and Group B jobs for Kannadigas, respectively. It also recommended that all Group C and Group D jobs be reserved for Kannadigas.
As the Karnataka Government pauses to study the bill further, discussions and debates continue about the best approach to ensure job opportunities for locals while balancing the needs of the industry and economy.
