Karnataka Cabinet clears bill mandating 50% reservation for locals in management, 75% in non-management jobs

NEW DELHI: The Karnataka Cabinet approved a bill on Monday mandating 50% job reservations for locals in management roles and 75% in non-management roles within industries, factories, and other establishments, reported The Hindu. As per reports, the Karnataka cabinet has approved the draft bill, but yet to be tabled in the assembly.

According to the Money Control report, the draft bill mandates that local candidates without a secondary school certificate in Kannada must pass a designated Kannada proficiency test. If there are no qualified local candidates available, industries, factories, and establishments must work with government agencies to train and employ local talent within three years.

Penalties for non-compliance

However, the proportion of local candidates must not fall below 25% in management positions and 50% in non-management roles. Non-compliance may result in penalties ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.

Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh Lad told Moneycontrol, "The bill mandates giving priority to Kannadigas, especially since many private firms avail subsidies and other benefits from the government to set up establishments. Therefore, we aim to create more jobs for local Kannadigas." He also mentioned that the draft bill will be presented during the ongoing assembly session.

Provisions for relaxation

As per The Hindu report , the bill states, “If sufficient number of local candidates are not available, then an industry or factory or other establishments may apply for relaxation from the provisions of this Act to the government, and after due enquiry, the government may pass appropriate orders and such orders passed by the government shall be final.”

Demands for 100% job reservations for Kannadigas

The Bill was passed amid demands for 100% job reservations for Kannadigas. Earlier in July, Kannada organizations held rallies across Karnataka, urging the immediate implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi report, which suggests a quota for locals in government and private sector jobs.

In 1984, Sarojini Mahishi, the former union minister and the first woman MP from Karnataka, led the Mahishi Committee and submitted a report with 58 recommendations. These included 100% reservation for locals in Group C and D jobs in Central government departments and PSUs operating in Karnataka.