Sameer Nigam, CEO and co-founder of PhonePe, recently voiced his discontent with the Karnataka government's proposed private job quota bill, which mandates reservations for local residents. The bill aimed to reserve 50 per cent of management positions and 70 per cent of non-management positions in private companies for locals. However, in response to widespread criticism, the bill has been temporarily kept on hold.
Nigam expressed his concerns about the bill on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ years. My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don't deserve jobs in Karnataka? I build companies. Have created 25,000+ jobs across India! My kids don't deserve jobs in their home city? Shame.”
Nigam made these remarks before the government decided to suspend the bill's implementation. Nigam's post went viral, capturing numerous comments and likes from social media users.
“This sooner will be a reality and Bangalore no longer will cease to exist as startup capital. First of all there are lot of challenges to run a company and to top it up this enforcement of local employment will be just the tip of the iceberg where in the entire ecosystem will come crumbling down,” wrote one of the X users.
Another user added, “Any org, any entrepreneur looks for the best people, the top ones. If govt says Kannadiga reservation, how are they guaranteeing that the Kannadiga itself is the best choice / top fitment? Are you promoting the best workforce or disoriented policies?”
A user questioned, "Who says you don’t deserve Jobs in Karnataka? All you have to do is LEARN THE LANGUAGE! Why so much hue and cry?" To this, the PhonePe CEO responded, "Karnataka <> only Kannada speaking people. Get it? I can work wherever I want in India. I can learn any language that I want to. The constitution of India gives me these rights. IT'S MY CHOICE. Get the hue and cry."
Also Read: Nasscom Demands Repeal Of Karnataka Job Reservation Bill, Citing Relocation Threats