The bill, titled the Karnataka State Government Employment of Local Candidates in Industries Bill, 2024, mandates 50 percent reservation for locals in managerial positions and 75 percent in non-managerial posts.
Karnataka: The Karnataka cabinet is considering a bill to provide reservation for locals under the Kannadiga quota in private sector jobs, including industries, factories, and other establishments in the State.
The bill, titled the Karnataka State Government Employment of Local Candidates in Industries Bill, 2024, mandates 50 percent reservation for locals in managerial positions and 75 percent in non-managerial posts.
If enough eligible candidates are not available, the proposed law requires the concerned industry, in collaboration with the State, to train local candidates within three years and employ them.
The bill also provides for the appointment of a nodal agency by the State to implement the provisions of the law.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah tweeted that the bill is still in the preparation stage, and a comprehensive discussion will be held at the next cabinet meeting before a final decision is made.
“The draft bill intended to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector companies, industries, and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. A comprehensive discussion will be held in the next cabinet meeting to make a final decision,”
the tweet said.
Objective of the Proposed Law
The Congress government in Karnataka, led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, stated that the bill is essential to provide adequate employment opportunities to locals and that it is necessary to provide employment to locals in factories, industries, etc.
Who is a ‘Local’?
The bill defines a local candidate as a person born in Karnataka and domiciled in the State for 15 years. Additionally, the person should speak, read, and write Kannada legibly. The candidates should have a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language or pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the nodal agency.
READ ALSO: “Will Make 23-25 Changes to New Criminal Laws in Karnataka”: Law Minister H K Patil
Penalties for Breaching the Proposed Law
The bill prescribes a monetary penalty ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1 lakh for isolated or repeated breaches of its provisions. It provides a limitation period of six months for prosecution.
Other States with Similar Laws and Their Current Status
- Andhra Pradesh: Passed the Andhra Pradesh Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries/Factories Act in 2019 to reserve 75% of jobs for locals. It was challenged in the Andhra Pradesh High Court, which observed in 2020 that the 75% quota might be unconstitutional. The legislation is yet to be fully implemented.
- Haryana: Enacted the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act in 2020, mandating 75% reservation in private sector jobs for locals. The Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the law in 2022, terming it ultra vires of Part III of the Constitution and in breach of Articles 14 and 19.
- Jharkhand: Passed the Jharkhand Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Bill in 2022, proposing to raise reservation in state government jobs from 60% to 77% for SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories. The bill was returned by the Governor for review in 2023, and the State passed it again without revision. However, it is yet to be sent to the Governor for assent.
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