In a significant move, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the state cabinet has approved a bill that mandates 100% job reservation for Kannadigas in private industries. This reservation will apply to C and D grade posts in these firms.
The proposed bill, titled the "Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024," is expected to be tabled in the assembly on Thursday, July 18, according to sources in the law department.
The bill outlines specific requirements for the employment of local candidates in private industries. According to a copy of the bill obtained by PTI, it states, “Any industry, factory, or other establishments shall appoint fifty percent of local candidates in management categories and seventy percent in non-management categories.”
To qualify as a local candidate, individuals must either have a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language or pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the ‘Nodal Agency’.
If qualified local candidates are not available, the bill mandates that within three years, establishments must work in active collaboration with the government or its agencies to train the local workforce. This provision ensures that local candidates are given opportunities to develop the necessary skills for employment.
The bill also specifies that any orders passed by the government regarding this matter shall be final. It provides a relaxation clause, stating that the relaxation provided shall not be less than twenty-five percent for management categories and fifty percent for non-management categories.
Industries, factories, and other establishments are required to inform the nodal agency about their compliance with the provisions of this Act within a prescribed period. The nodal agency is granted the authority to request any records, information, or documents from employers or managers of establishments to verify compliance.
The bill includes penalties for those who do not adhere to its provisions. Any employer, occupier, or manager of an establishment found contravening the Act will be liable for a penalty ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. This penalty aims to enforce compliance and ensure that local candidates are given priority in employment opportunities.
This bill is seen as a significant step towards boosting local employment in Karnataka. By providing 100% reservation for Kannadigas in C and D grade posts, the state government aims to address the issue of unemployment among local residents and ensure that they are given priority in private sector jobs.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of this bill in providing job opportunities for Kannadigas and supporting the local economy. He expressed confidence that the bill would receive support in the assembly and become a law, thereby ensuring better employment prospects for the state's residents.