"Bill should be junked": Ex-Infosys CFO on 100% quota for Kannadigas in private jobs

Mohandas Pai, Chairman of Aarin Capital and former CFO and board member of Infosys, has criticized Karnataka government's decision to mandate 100 per cent reservation for Kannigas in private sector Group C and D posts.

In a post on microblogging site X, Pai stated, "This bill should be junked. It is discriminatory, regressive and against constitution."

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, executive chairperson of Biocon, also expressed concerns, suggesting that exemptions should be me for highly skilled recruitment.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confirmed that Karnataka cabinet approved bill in a meeting held on Monday. " Cabinet meeting held yesterday approved a bill to make recruitment of 100 per cent Kannigas mandatory for 'C and D' gre posts in all private industries in state," he said in a post on X.

"We are a pro-Kanna government. Our priority is to look after welfare of Kannigas," Siddaramaiah ded.

Sources in law department revealed that 'Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries, Factories and Or Establishments Bill, 2024' will be tabled in Assembly on Thursday.

bill stipulates that industries, factories, and or establishments must appoint 50 per cent local candidates in management categories and 70 per cent in non-management categories. Candidates without a secondary school certificate with Kanna as a language must pass a Kanna proficiency test as specified by 'Nodal Agency'.