NEWS – Karnataka government has drafted a Bill to reserve managerial and clerical jobs for Kannadigas in the private sector

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Features of the Bill

• Name: Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill.
• Legislative Session: Likely to be tabled in the ongoing session.

Reservation Details

• Management Category:
  • 50% of jobs (supervisory, managerial, technical, operational, administrative, and higher positions) reserved for local candidates.
• Non-Management Category:
  • 75% of jobs (clerical, unskilled, semi-skilled, employees in IT and ITeS firms, contract, and casual workers) reserved for locals.

Definition of Local Candidate

• Criteria:
  • Born in Karnataka.
  • Residing in Karnataka for 15 years.
  • Capable of speaking, reading, and writing Kannada legibly.
  • Passed a Kannada proficiency test (applicable only to those who did not study Kannada in high school).

Applicability

• Employers:
  • Covered under the Karnataka Shops and Commercial Establishments Act.
  • Employing 10 or more persons for manufacturing or providing any service.

Training and Collaboration

• Requirement:
  • Industries/factories must collaborate with the government to train and engage local candidates if qualified candidates are unavailable.
• Relaxation:
  • Employers can apply for relaxation if local candidates are insufficient.
  • Government may grant relaxation after due inquiry but must maintain minimum reservation of 25% in management and 50% in non-management jobs.

Penalties

• Violations:
  • Penalty ranging between Rs 10,000 and Rs 25,000 for initial violations.
  • Continuing violations attract a fine of up to Rs 100 per day until addressed.