A bill directing private firms in the state to reserve jobs for Kannadigas has been put on hold after the Karnataka government had cleared it.
Further deliberations on the same will be needed.
The bill was directed at requiring firms in India’s IT capital to prioritise local hires for 70 per cent of non-management roles and 50 per cent of management-level jobs.
“The bill intended to implement reservation for Kannadigas in private sector institutions, industries and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. A final decision will be taken after comprehensive discussion in the next cabinet meeting,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has posted on X.
The quota announcement was first made by the Chief Minister Tuesday evening.
The Chief Minister said his “pro-Kannada government” would ensure all “Kannadigas (get) an opportunity to lead a comfortable life in the motherland… and avoid being deprived of jobs in the land of Kannada”. However, his X post said the bill mandated 100 per cent reservation at certain levels.
Fury and outrage followed Siddaramaiah’s post, with business leaders like Biocon’s Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and the opposition, led by the Bharatiya Janata Party, targeting the Congress government.
There was, though, a measure of support from a surprising quarter.
Union Minister Ramdas Athawale, the MoS for Social Justice and Empowerment, told the media he backed all measures that would benefit the backward classes which includes OBC, SC, or ST communities.
Meanwhile, the Karnataka Chief Minister’s post was deleted this afternoon after clarification from Labour Minister Santosh Lad.
“At management level, it has been decided to provide reservation of 50 per cent. At the non-management level, it has been decided to provide work to 70 per cent…”
He also said that if companies were unable to hire suitable skilled candidates from this restricted pool, they could then look at hiring people from outside the state.
“If such skills are not available (in Kannadigas) then the jobs can be outsourced. The government is trying to bring in a law to give preference to locals… if skilled labour is available here…,” he said.
However, he insisted there is no dearth of talent in the state.
The quota saw a mixed reception when introduced.
Some businesspersons called it “discriminatory” while others, like Ms Mazumdar-Shaw, acknowledged the need to ensure jobs for locals but added caveats.
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