In a move aimed at prioritizing the welfare of Kannadigas, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramiah announced the approval of a bill mandating the hiring of 100% local candidates for “C and D” grade posts in all private industries within the state. The announcement was made on social media platform X, reflecting the government’s commitment to ensuring ample employment opportunities for Kannadigas and preventing job deprivation in Kannada land.
The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, is set to be tabled in the Assembly on Thursday. According to the Economic Times, the bill stipulates that a ‘local candidate’ is someone born in Karnataka, domiciled in the state for 15 years, fluent in Kannada, and who passes a required test by a nodal agency.
Candidates eligible for reservation in management and non-management categories must either possess a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language or pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the nodal agency. If qualified or suitable local candidates are not available, industries must take steps to train and engage local candidates within three years.
The bill categorizes employment into ‘management’ and ‘non-management’ roles. The management category includes supervisory, managerial, technical, operational, administrative, and higher roles, excluding directors. The non-management category encompasses clerical, unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, IT/ITES employees, and contract or casual workers.
Reports indicate that the bill includes a provision for relaxation if sufficient local candidates are not available. Industries can apply for relaxation from the provisions of this Act to the government, which may pass appropriate orders after due inquiry. Additionally, a nodal agency will be established under the Act to verify employment reports from industries and submit periodic reports to the government.
