Theme:
- On 15th July 2024, the Karnataka cabinet approved a draft bill (The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024) mandating local quotas in private jobs. This bill proposes a 50% reservation for locals in administrative roles and 75% in non-administrative roles. Additionally, it mandates a 100% quota for Kannadigas in Group C and Group D jobs. To qualify as a local candidate, an individual must be born in Karnataka, have resided in the state for at least 15 years, and should be able to speak Kannada.
- Later, this bill was put on hold after backlash from companies.
Why:
- This bill aims to ensure job security for local residents.
- Pro-Kannada groups are pressuring the government. They’re concerned about too many people moving from other states to Karnataka, especially Bengaluru, saying it threatens Kannada identity.
Issues:
- Companies opposing the bill say they hire based on skills because they need to operate efficiently. They worry the bill will force them to move to other states. Meanwhile, neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Kerala have seized the opportunity to attract businesses by offering more favourable conditions.
- Karnataka already struggling with a shortage of workers issue, which will get worse, if this bill is passed. Many companies in the state depend on migrant workers.
- In 2020, the Punjab and Haryana High Court stopped a similar bill in Haryana because it is against Article 14 (everyone should be treated equally under the law) and Article 19 (people can move, join groups, and work in any job they’re qualified for) of the Constitution.
Conclusion:
While the Karnataka government’s decision to reserve private sector jobs for locals aims to address local job security and pro-Kannada sentiments, it faces significant challenges. The bill could discourage companies from setting up branches or investing in the state because finding skilled workers is essential for their success. Focusing on skill development rather than reservations would likely be a more effective approach.
Your Turn…
Do you think giving reservations to local people in private jobs is a good idea? Express your point of view through the comment section below. Subscribe to our blog to read answers to the trending GD topics.
Image: Canva
References:
- Karnataka: One step too far with local-only quota
- Junk this bill: Industry leaders slam Karnataka’s job quota for locals
- Decode Politics: Siddaramaiah govt’s stalled job quota plans for ‘locals’: What and why
- War of words over Karnataka Bill on local quota in private sector jobs
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The quotas are only bringing on more damage than the benefits, while Quotas can help may be in very few areas like equal representation in the govt (ensure officials/ people in power from marginalised communities or minorities, so their voices are heard and are not subjugated). Any other form of quota especially in the employment arena is going to become disastrous.
If quota are implemented, the employer finds it difficult to find skilled resources (Its equally difficult to find skilled work force just as how difficult it is to find a job) and to ensure that quota is implemented, the govt has to authurise a department to check the same fuelling bribes and corruption.
Instead govt must invest on human resources, skill enhancements, fight corruption , encourage entrepreneurship and yes a tall order
I am completely against any kind of reservations, both in government and private sector .it’s been 75 years since we got independence, still we get stuck in such things, uplifting backward classes is okay, but mandating reservations more than 50% of the vaccancy is not good, rather we should focus on skill development,inculcating things that meet today’s requirement.
Being a kannadiga I am utterly against this bill ,instead of reservations for the locals govt should skill the people, provide all necessary exposure to industrial skill to bridge the gap. By mandating this bill it inhibit the skilled force in industries and it is against the basic rights of the people who can reside and work anywhere in the country.
Karnataka is one of the highly industrialised state , today it is exporting software to the world and the start-up culture here attract all fellow Indians to came and work here,by this bill it will tarnish Karnataka’s image in the nation and companies will relocate to other states.