Karnataka Reservation Bill: Kannadigas to Get 100% Reservations in Private Sector
Industries and establishments are required to train local candidates within three years if qualified candidates are not available.
image for illustrative purpose
The Karnataka government, led by Siddaramaiah, has approved a bill mandating 100% reservation for Kannadigas in lower posts (Group C and D) in the private sector.
The bill mandates that 50% of management roles and 75% of non-management roles be filled by Kannadigas. This decision was taken during the State Cabinet meeting held on Monday.
The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, is set to be tabled in the State Assembly on Thursday.
Siddaramaiah said that the government's goal is to protect job prospects for Kannadigas in the state and help them establish a stable income.
He emphasised the government's pro-Kannada stance and its commitment to the welfare of Kannadigas.
The bill specifies that a local candidate must be born in Karnataka, lived in the state for 15 years, and possess fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Kannada.
Candidates must possess a high school diploma with Kannada as a language or successfully complete a Kannada proficiency examination designated by a government-appointed nodal agency.
Industries and establishments must train local candidates within three years if qualified candidates are not available.
However, if a sufficient number of local candidates are still unavailable, companies may apply for relaxation, which shouldn’t be less than 25% for management categories and 50% for non-management categories.
Failure to comply with the Act can result in penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000.
In a post on X on Tuesday, Siddaramaiah confirmed the Cabinet's approval of the bill, mandating the recruitment of 100% Kannadigas for 'C and D' grade posts in all private industries in the state.
