From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Oct 17: With ‘Invest Karnataka’ summit scheduled to be held in February, the Kannada Development Authority (KDA) has suggested to the State government to include a clause on appointing jobs to Kannada-speaking people in category ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts by private firms.

KDA Chairman L Hanumanthaiah, who held a meeting with top officials of the government departments, said Chief Secretary Kaushik Mukherjee has assured of reserving category ‘C’ and ‘D’ posts for Kannadigas in the private sector too.

While entering into business agreements with private investors during the ‘Invest Karnataka,’ he saud the State Government should seek written commitment from private firms on providing jobs to Kannadigas and this has been assured by the Chief Secretary.

The State Government should insert such a clause in the agreement during the forthcoming ‘Invest Karnataka’ meet, Hanumanthaiah said.

He said the State Government has not been imposing such condition on private firms investing in the state, he said.

The Sarojini Mahishi Committee report too had recommended reservation for Kannadigas in private firms.

The KDA told Bengaluru Metro Rail Ltd and Kempe Gowda International airport authorities to provide jobs for locals in C and D categories.

He urged the Chief Secretary to take stern action, including withholding promotions, against officials who neglect Kannada in the day-to-day administration.

Taking exception to government officials’ commitment to implement Kannada in the administration, the KDA chief said only 17 departments have been using Kannada as the main language in their websites.

The state language was optional in a majority of government websites.

The KDA asked Mukherjee to instruct all departments to make mandatory use of Kannada as the main language in all websites.