Karnataka Govt Clears Bill Reserving 50% Jobs For Locals In Management, 75% In Non-Management Posts

The Karnataka Cabinet has approved a bill mandating that industries, factories, and other establishments reserve 50% of management positions and 75% of non-management positions for local candidates.

Titled the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, it received clearance in a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 15. The bill is expected to be presented during the current legislative session.

According to the bill, a local candidate is defined as someone born in Karnataka and domiciled in the state for at least 15 years, proficient in Kannada, and having passed a Kannada proficiency test conducted by the designated agency. Candidates must hold a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language or pass a specified Kannada proficiency test.

In cases where qualified local candidates are unavailable, industries and establishments are required to collaborate with the government to train local candidates within three years.

The bill allows industries to seek relaxation from these provisions if an adequate number of local candidates is not available, subject to government approval following due inquiry. However, the percentage of local candidates should not fall below 25% for management positions and 50% for non-management roles.

Non-compliance with these regulations may result in penalties ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.

The bill addresses a longstanding demand for job reservation for Kannadigas, echoing earlier calls for implementing the Sarojini Mahishi report, which recommended 100% reservation for locals in government and private sector jobs. Sarojini Mahishi, the first woman MP from Karnataka, headed the committee that submitted the report in 1984, outlining 58 recommendations for local job quotas in Central government departments and PSUs operating in Karnataka.