Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw Disagrees With Karnataka's Job Quota Bill, Priyank Kharge Responds

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, founder of Biocon, opposed Karnataka's proposal to reserve a major chunk of private sector jobs for Kannadigas.

She took to her official X account on Wednesday to highlight that highly skilled recruitment should be exempted from this policy to ensure Bengaluru remains a top technology hub.

She said, "As a tech hub, we need skilled talent and whilst the aim is to provide jobs for locals we must not affect our leading position in technology by this move. There must be caveats that exempt highly skilled recruitment from this policy."

Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's Minister for Information Technology and Biotechnology, responded to Shaw's concerns by stating that "no detrimental rules or laws will be enforced without due consultations with stakeholders."

He highlighted Karnataka's position as the fourth-largest technology cluster globally, top ranker in the India Innovation Index, and leader in IT service exports.

Kharge credited these achievements to the state government's consistent engagement with various stakeholders to create policies that encourage investment and generate employment opportunities.

He reassured that, "As always, we will consult with industries, industry bodies, and thought leaders to ensure we foster a favorable environment for investments and job creation for locals while addressing the needs of the global workforce."

Other prominent industry figures have also slammed the Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, which was approved by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's cabinet.

The bill requires companies in Karnataka to give priority to local hires for 70% of non-management positions and 50% of management-level roles. Amid opposition, the state government has paused the bill.

Former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai condemned the bill as "discriminatory" and "regressive," comparing it to the principles in George Orwell's "Animal Farm."

"This bill should be junked. It is discriminatory, regressive, and against the Constitution. This is a fascist bill as in Animal Farm," he said on X.

The National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) also voiced their disappointment and concern over the bill.

They issued a statement saying, "Nasscom and its members are disappointed and express deep concern regarding the passage of the Karnataka State Employment of Local Industries Factories Establishment Act Bill, 2024."

NASSCOM warned that such "restrictions could force companies to relocate as local skilled talent becomes scarce."