NEW DELHI: Amid the raging debate over the quota for locals in Karnataka, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday deleted his post on ‘X’ in which he confirmed the cabinet’s approval of the bill, making it mandatory to recruit ‘100 per cent’ Kannadigas for ‘C and D’ grade posts in all private institutions within the state.
In his post on X, the CM said the government’s commitment to the welfare of Kannadigas.”The Cabinet meeting held yesterday approved a bill to make it mandatory to hire 100 percent Kannadigas for ‘C and D’ grade posts in all private industries in the state. It is our government’s wish that the Kannadigas should avoid being deprived of jobs in the land of Kannada and should be allowed to build a comfortable life in the motherland. We are a pro-Kannada government. Our priority is to look after the welfare of Kannadigas,” Siddaramaiah wrote.
The controversy over the bill brought into focus the ongoing tension between local employment policies and the needs of industries, particularly in a competitive global market.
Will resolve this confusion: Karnataka Minister
After apparent concern by industrialists in Karnataka over a Bill mandating 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in “C and D” grade government jobs, commerce and industries minister MB Patil assured that wider consultations will be held to address and resolve these apprehensions.
He also ensured that the interests of both Kannadigas and industries will be protected.
Patil acknowledged the concerns and stated that the government would work to clear any confusion caused by the new Bill. “I have seen that many people have apprehension regarding this…We will resolve this confusion…We will sit with the CM and resolve this so that it does not have any adverse effect…,” he stated when speaking to ANI on Wednesday.
He emphasized the necessity of maintaining a balance between protecting the interests of Kannadigas and fostering a positive environment for industries. “Keeping the interests of #Kannadigas paramount, I will discuss this issue with the Hon’ble CM Sh @siddaramaiah, IT-BT Minister, Law Minister, and Labour Minister. We will have wider consultations. We will ensure that the interests of Kannadigas are protected, alongside those of the industries,” he posted on ‘X’.
He highlighted that in the current competitive era of manufacturing and industrial revolution, Karnataka and other states must strive to be at their best. “India is currently experiencing a manufacturing and industrial revolution driven by the global China Plus One policy. In this competitive era, states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana are striving to be at their best. It is of utmost importance for all states to be at their competitive peak,” Patil noted.
Patil further stressed that Karnataka should not lag behind in this critical period of industrialization. “Karnataka is a progressive state, and we cannot afford to lose in this once-in-a-century race of industrialization. We will make sure that everyone’s interests are safeguarded. The Industries are assured that they need not have any fear or apprehensions and can rest assured,” he articulated.
This response came after the Karnataka cabinet approved a Bill on Tuesday seeking to reserve 50 percent of management jobs and 75 percent of non-management jobs for locals in the private sector, alongside the 100 percent reservation for locals in “C&D” grade government jobs.
Several industry leaders in Karnataka expressed their objections to the new Bill, describing it as discriminatory and worrying about potential negative impacts on the tech industry.
What does the bill say?
The reservation of jobs in private firms in Karnataka is limited to 70 percent for non-management positions and 50 percent for management-level roles.
The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024 proposes that 50% of managerial roles and 70% of non-managerial roles in all industries, factories, and establishments in the state must be reserved for local candidates.
The candidates without a secondary school certificate in Kannada must pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the designated agency.
The bill allows establishments to train and engage local candidates in collaboration with government agencies if sufficiently qualified local candidates are not available within three years.
In cases where an adequate number of local candidates cannot be found, establishments can seek relaxation, but the proportion of local candidates must not drop below 25% for managerial positions and 50% for non-managerial roles.
