Karnataka Cabinet Clears Bill Mandating Local Job Reservations (GS Paper 2, Government Policies)
Context
- The Karnataka Cabinet has recently approved a Bill mandating significant reservations for local candidates in the private sector, aimed at addressing employment concerns for locals.
Key Points
Bill Overview:
- Name: Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024.
- Objective: To ensure job opportunities for Kannadigas in the private sector by reserving specific percentages of jobs for locals.
Reservation Quotas:
- Management Positions: At least 50% of these roles, which include executive, administrative, and leadership positions, must be filled by local candidates.
- Non-Management Positions: 75% of roles such as technical, operational, and support positions must be occupied by local candidates.
Eligibility Criteria for Local Candidates:
- Birth or Domicile: Candidates must be born in Karnataka or have been domiciled in the state for at least 15 years.
- Language Proficiency: Candidates must be able to speak, read, and write Kannada proficiently. There is a required test for this proficiency.
- Educational Requirement: Candidates should hold a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language. If not, they must pass a Kannada proficiency test.
Minimum Thresholds:
- Management Positions: The percentage of local candidates should not fall below 25%, even if there are challenges in finding local talent.
- Non-Management Positions: The percentage should not be below 50%.
Fallback Measures:
- Training Programs: If qualified local candidates are unavailable, industries must collaborate with the government to train local candidates within three years.
- Relaxation Requests: Establishments can apply for relaxation from the Act's provisions in exceptional cases. The government will review these requests.
Penalties for Non-Compliance:
- Fines: Industries failing to comply with the reservation norms may face penalties ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.
- Enforcement: The government aims to rigorously enforce these provisions to ensure effective implementation.
Background
Sarojini Mahishi Report:
- The bill is a response to long-standing demands for job reservations for Kannadigas.
- Kannada organisations have organised rallies across the state, urging the immediate implementation of the Sarojini Mahishi Report, which was submitted in 1984 and recommended quotas for locals in both government and private sector jobs.
Conclusion
- The Karnataka Cabinet's decision to mandate job reservations for local candidates is seen as a significant move to ensure equitable employment opportunities within the state.
- While some industry leaders have criticised the move as discriminatory, proponents argue that it will empower local talent, boost regional employment, and strengthen the state’s economy.
- The success of the bill will depend on effective implementation and the ability to balance local employment needs with the operational requirements of industries.
