Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has deleted an X post, wherein he announced 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in Group C and Group D jobs in private firms.
After CM deleted the post, Labour Minister Santosh Lad clarified that reservation of jobs will be capped at 70 per cent for non-management staff and 50 per cent for management positions.
"At management level, it has been decided to provide reservation to 50 per cent of the people. At the non-management level, it has been decided to provide work to 70 per cent..." he explained.
He also said that if companies cannot find skilled candidates from the state, they can outsource the jobs. He also pointed out the Karnataka has enough skilled workers, adding that the government is trying to pass a law that gives preference to locals if skilled labour is available in the state.
In the deleted post, Siddaramaiah had said the the Cabinet meeting had approved a bill to make recruitment of 100 per cent Kannadigas mandatory for Group C and D posts in all private industries in the state.
Several leading industrialists slammed the move as discriminatory and shortsighted.
Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Manipal Global Education Services, said, "This bill is discriminatory, regressive... this is a fascist bill, as in 'Animal Farm' (the George Orwell novel)."
RK Misra, co-Chairman of ASSOCHAM Karnataka, said, "Another genius move from Government of Karnataka. Mandate LOCAL RESERVATION and APPOINT GOVT OFFICER IN EVERY COMPANY to monitor. This will scare (companies)... short-sighted."
