Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Feb 7: The Karnataka government is drafting a bill that will make 75% reservations for locals in various sectors, including private industries mandatory.

The proposed bill is named ‘Karnataka Employment of Local Candidates in Factories, Shops, Commercial Establishments, MSMEs and Joint Ventures Bill’.

Meanwhile, a notification has been issued by the Labour Department, finalising the criterion to be considered a Kannadiga.

According to the notification, the person has to be a resident of Karnataka for the past 15 years and should know to read and write in Kannada. “I think it is fair enough that people in Karnataka should know how to read and write Kannada that, too, if they are working here," Labour minister S Suresh Kumar told media.

The minister also clarified that the bill is proposed keeping the interest of locals in mind and is not discriminatory. “Many Kannadigas have complained that they are being discriminated and are not getting jobs elsewhere while others are seizing opportunities in the state. Hence, to address this concern, the bill is being drafted taking opinions of all stakeholders and legal experts,” he said.

It is not yet confirmed if the proposed bill will be placed in the upcoming budget session of the state assembly. However, the minister stresses that government hopes to convince all, even the ones who oppose it.

Last July, Andhra Pradesh had implemented a similar bill.