Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (MS)

Bengaluru, Nov 1: 46th Rajyotsava is being celebrated throughout the state of Karnataka right from the morning of Friday, November 1. The state government has taken a step forward on this occasion to give priority to Kannadigas in Group C and Group D jobs in the private sector.

The BJP government, which has come across the hurdle of law in this case because of which the rule was not made mandatory, has still stressed that the people of the state need to be given preference in private sector while offering jobs.

The state cabinet, which held a meeting on Thursday, October 31 to draft a law in this regard has proposed in the law to give priority to Kannadigas in private sector jobs. Speaking to reporters after the cabinet meeting, law minister J C Madhuswamy said, "It is not possible to amend the present law and ask the private companies to employ only Kannadigas in Group C and D jobs in private sector. However, the government can put pressure to a certain extent to give priority to the people of Karnataka as it provides basic infrastructure for private businesses like land, water and electricity."

But many have doubts about the implementation of this policy. Former president of Kannada Development Authority, S G Siddaramaiah said, "Sarojini Mahishi Report in this regard is submitted in 1983 itself to the then state government. In that report, it is stressed that Kannadigas have to be given reservation and preference in jobs of private companies doing business in the state. Already 36 years have passed since then. But none of the governments have made any attempt to implement that report. The governments are just playing with the sentiments of people."