'Fascist, Regressive': Industry Reacts As Karnataka Moves Bill Mandating 100% Quota For Kannadigas

Bengaluru: The government of Karnataka has moved a bill mandating 100 percent quota for the ‘Kannadigas’ in private firms for selected posts.

The bill has not been received well and is being termed ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘fascist' by leading members of the industry. 

‘Fascist And Unconstitutional’: Industry Reacts To Bill Mandating 100 Percent Quota For Kannadigas

Mohandas Pai, the Chairman of Manipal Global Education Services said that the Bill is "fascist" and also unconstitutional. 

"This bill should be junked. It is discriminatory, regressive and against the constitution @Jairam_Ramesh is govt to certify who we are? This is a fascist bill as in Animal Farm, unbelievable that @INCIndia can come up with a bill like this- a govt officer will sit on recruitment committees of the private sector? People have to take a language test?" Pai said in a post on 'X'.

Kiran Mazumdar Shaw Gives Her Opinion

Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw, the Executive Chairperson of Biocon Limited said that the state should not let this Bill affect its leading position in the domain of technology and there should be exemptions for highly skilled recruitment.

"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," Shaw posted on 'X'.

RK Misra, the Co-Chairman of ASSOCHAM Karnataka and the Co-Founder of YULU called the Bill shortsighted and said that if a government officer is appointed in every private company to monitor its implementation, it will scare away Indian IT and Global Capability Centres.

"Another genius move from Govt of Karnataka. Mandate LOCAL RESERVATION & APPOINT GOVT OFFICER IN EVERY COMPANY to monitor. This will scare Indian IT & GCCs. Short-sighted," Misra posted on 'X'.

Karnataka CM On Bill Being Passed

In his post on X, Karnataka CM Siddaramiah said that the state government's priority was to look after the welfare of Kannadigas.

"The Cabinet meeting held yesterday approved a bill to make it mandatory to hire 100 per cent Kannadigas for "C and D" grade posts in all private industries in the state. It is our government's wish that the Kannadigas should avoid being deprived of jobs in the land of Kannada and should be allowed to build a comfortable life in the motherland. We are a pro-Kannada government. Our priority is to look after the welfare of Kannadigas," he posted on X.

(Inputs from ANI)