Karnataka govt must consult industry stakeholders for sector-specific decisions: FKCCI

The Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry has said that the state government must take all industry stakeholders into confidence by consulting them on the jobs reservation issue. 

Speaking with Republic Business, B VIjaya Kumar, Assistant Secretary, FKCCI said that the government must follow its policy of boosting the Information Technology (IT) sector in Karnataka in letter and spirit. 

“Now that the Bill has been put on hold, it is an important decision. We would like to reiterate that any future decision with regard to any sector or industry must be made a legislation only after seeking sector specialist views on it,” said the FKCCI office bearer Kumar. 

Notably, the Chief Minister’s Office in Bengaluru on Wednesday night confirmed to Republic Kannada that the job reservation bill was put on the back burner. Besides, two Karnataka ministers while also speaking with media persons said that consultations with industry bodies in this matter were important. 

On Wednesday, FKCCI wrote a letter to the Karnataka Chief Minister K Siddaramaiah stating that as an apex body for trade, industry and  service sectors are  concerned over the draft Bill on quota for Kannadigas in private companies, although, FKCCI welcomes the aim of government to provide jobs for the locals and is also willing to promote Kannadigas for their employment in our establishment of trade, industry and service sectors, we would like to bring the following for your kind consideration,” the letter had stated. 

“We would like to bring to the attention of the government that Karnataka as a technical hub is having a leading position in technology and Bengaluru in particular and the state in general is a leader in technology among all the nations,” the FKCCI letter had stated. 

It said there was a need for skilled talent not only to maintain the lead but also to be a major flag bearer in the technological field as well as a leading industrialised state in the nation.

“In this connection, it is necessary that the proposed job quotas for Kannadigas at 50 per cent for management category and 75 per cent non-management category needs to be                    reconsidered since the industries and the state have to thrive,” added the FKCCI letter to CM.  

Further, the government may also note that 100% reservation for Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ will also be violative of the constitutional provisions, IT added. 

“Keeping the above issues, FKCCI strongly recommends that the Bill on job quota for Kannadigas especially in the management category should be of an advisory in nature with suitable reservation which will be a win-win situation for both the industries and the interest of the Kannadigas,” it said while requesting the Karnataka CM to convene a meeting with the stakeholders consisting of trade, Industry associations, industrialists, IT companies and government so as to find an amicable solution for job quotas for Kannadigas.