The Karnataka cabinet has greenlit a bill ensuring reservation for Kannadigas in Group C and D positions within private firms, as announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday. This decision emerged from the Cabinet meeting on Monday. The bill, titled the 'Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024,' is expected to be introduced in the Assembly on Thursday, according to sources within the law department.


In a post on X which was later deleted by CM, Siddaramaiah stated, "The Cabinet meeting held yesterday approved a bill to make recruitment of 100 per cent Kannadigas mandatory for 'C and D' grade posts in all private industries in the state." He further emphasised the government's commitment to the welfare of Kannadigas, declaring, "We are a pro-Kannada government. Our priority is to look after the welfare of the Kannadigas."



 











 














 


Providing clarification on the announcment, Karnataka Labour Minister Santosh S Lad said, "At management (level), it has been decided to provide reservation to 50% of the people. At the non-management level, it has been decided to provide work to 70%...If such skills are not available, people can be outsourced and they can be given work here. But the Government is trying to bring in a law to give preference to locally available skills - if it is available here..."


The Local Candidates: What Does Reservation Bill Say? 






According to the copy of the bill accessed by PTI, it defines a 'local candidate' as an individual who was born in Karnataka, has resided in the state for at least 15 years, is fluent in Kannada, and has passed a test administered by the nodal agency.






The proposed legislation mandates that all industries, factories, and other establishments appoint 50% local candidates in management roles including supervisory, managerial, technical, operational, administrative, and higher positions. It also mandated allocation of 70% in non-management roles.


Regarding the appointment of 'Local Candidates', the Bill said, "Any industry, factory or other establishments shall appoint fifty percent of local candidates in management categories and seventy percent in non-management categories."

"If the candidates do not possess secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language, they must pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the 'Nodal Agency'," it said.


Compliance Of Act


Industries and establishments must report their compliance with the Act to the nodal agency which will verify the reports and submit an implementation report to the government. The nodal agency is empowered to request records, information or documents from employers to verify compliance.


If suitable local candidates are unavailable, establishments are required to collaborate with the government or its agencies within three years to train them, according to the report. Establishments may apply for relaxation from the Act's provisions if the required number of local candidates is not available. However, the relaxation must not reduce the reservation below 25% for management roles and 50% for non-management roles.


The government will appoint an officer of at least the rank of Assistant Labour Commissioner to ensure adherence to the Act's provisions. Non-compliance will attract penalties ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 25,000. Continued contravention after the imposition of a penalty will incur an additional fine of up to Rs 100 per day until compliance is achieved.


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