'No Need To Panic': Karnataka Govt Reacts To Private Sector Quota Bill Backlash, Says Consultation On The Cards

Amid backlash from industry giants over a bill mandating reservation to Kannadigas in private firms, the Karnataka government on Wednesday said it will have wider consultations and discussions on the matter. State IT minister Priyank Kharge said he has requested chief minister Siddaramaiah to loop in industry experts and other departments on the bill’s clauses and only then implement it.

“There’s no need to panic, we will have wider consultations and arrive at a common ground,” Kharge said, adding that the state government’s aim is to provide jobs to local residents and bring investments at the same time.

“This bill is a suggestion by the labour department; there has been no discussion with the department of industry or information technology. So, we have requested the CM to have a wider consultation with us as well as leaders and we’ll come to a common ground to see how we can ensure more locals are given jobs,” he said.

Industry giants like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Mohandas Pai have objected to the Bill. Pai called it “discriminatory” and “regressive” in nature while Shaw said it must not affect the state’s leading position as a technology hub.

“…Karnataka’s a progressive state. The clauses of the bill are a suggestion; if the industry feels it’s not required, we’ll look at it. We’ll have a wider consultation with Mr Pai or Ms Mazumdar, we are just a call or text away,” Kharge added.

According to sources in the law department, the ‘Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024’ will be tabled in the assembly on Thursday (July 18). If passed, it will give 100 per cent reservation to Kannadigas, or local residents, for “C and D grade posts” at private industries.

The chief minister said the Congress-led government in the state was “pro-Kannada” and was doing this to give more jobs and opportunities to Kannadigas. “The Cabinet meeting held yesterday approved a bill to make it mandatory to hire 100 per cent 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 given an opportunity to build a comfortable life in the motherland. We are a pro-Kannada government. Our priority is to look after the welfare of Kannadigas,” he said in a post on X.