BENGALURU: After a backlash from the private sector, the Karnataka government on Wednesday night decided to put on hold its proposed policy providing reservation for Kannadigas in jobs in the sector. "The bill is still in the preparation stage. A final decision will be taken after a comprehensive discussion at the next cabinet meeting," said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in a post on X (Twitter).
The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories & Other Establishments Bill, 2024, recently got the cabinet's nod. The bill proposes 50% reservation in jobs in the private sector in the management category and 75% in the non-management category for Kannadigas.
Industry bodies had urged the government to reconsider its decision. The trade bodies had stated that the proposed 100% reservation of Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ jobs for Kannadigas violated the constitutional provisions. Industries Minister MB Patil said the CM has taken due cognizance.
"The bill is withheld until further consultations and due diligence. Industry leaders needn’t panic. The government is committed to creating more jobs, and furthermore for Kannadigas, however, in a more amicable manner," the minister said.
The government's decision to withhold the bill came after concerns expressed by many industry leaders.
Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson and founder of Biocon Limited and Biocon Biologics Limited, said, "As a tech hub, we need skilled talent and whilst the aim is to provide jobs for locals we must not affect our leading position in technology by this move. There must be caveats that exempt highly skilled recruitment from this policy."
Former chief finance officer of Infosys Mohandas Pai said the bill should be junked. He termed it “discriminatory”, “regressive” and “against the Constitution”. "This is a fascist bill as in Animal Farm, unbelievable that the Congress government can come up with a bill like this — a government officer will sit on recruitment committees of the private sector? People have to take a language test?" questioned Pai.
While the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) and its members have expressed deep concern, the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI) has asked the government to reconsider its decision as the industries and the state have to thrive.
"The government may also note that 100% reservation of Group 'C' and 'D' jobs will also be violative of the constitutional provisions," FKCCI said. Brand specialist Harish Bijoor posted, ''We don't want recruitment Raj in Karnataka. The government's work is God's work! This is not!"
Earlier in the day, Patil assured us that the government would make sure everyone's interests were safeguarded. The industries need not have any fears or apprehensions, he said, adding that Karnataka is a progressive state, and it cannot afford to lose in this once-in-a-century race of industrialisation.
Patil pointed out that India is currently experiencing a manufacturing and industrial revolution driven by the global China Plus One policy. In this competitive era, states such as 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," he said.