Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Sunday promised Kannada workers that he would look into the long-standing demand for reservation for Kannadigas in private companies.
He was addressing a gathering of workers at Kannada Karmika Samavesha where a memorandum of suggestions based on the report submitted by former Union Minister Sarojini Mahishi was presented to him.
“Twenty seven years have passed since the report was submitted. There have been many changes in laws and number of jobs since then. Our government is committed to protecting Kannada language and we are committed to its spread,” the Chief Minister said.
He promised to set up a committee to examine the recommendations made in the memorandum and said that a decision will be taken to implement as many of them as possible.
“You have gone through Mahishi’s report and sorted out the pressing demands. We will consider them. I feel what you have asked for is right,” he stated.
The Chief Minister spoke out strongly against people who came from other states and did not learn the language. “Let them speak whatever they want at home. They must learn the language of the state. Their children must learn Kannada. The local population must try and teach them the language instead of trying to learn theirs instead,” he said.
KDA Chairman Mukhyamantri Chandru, Ministers Umashree and K J George were present.
Recommendations
The Mahishi Committee report sought reservations for Kannadigas in various government sector jobs. Some of the recommendations are:
75 per cent reservation for locals in private companies including multi national corporations in the Information Technology and Biotechnology sectors
All recruitment advertisements must be given in Kannada newspapers as well and a knowledge of kannada must be a prerogative to employment
Employees must be registered with proper identity and domicile proof in order to confirm that they are locals
National companies that have a presence in the State must depute employees from outside Karnataka only after the clearance from the Employment Department
Advertisements for jobs must clearly state that preference would be given for those who know Kannada and this must be checked during interview
Those working in the unorganised sector must undergo Kannada classes
Tests for recruitment to Central government jobs must have a Kannada question paper
The government must include reservation for Kannadigas as part of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) it signs with MNCs in the State.
The committee had made 15 recommendations.