Karnataka reservation row: ‘If skills are not available…’: Minister Santosh Lad clarifies after Kannadiga quota backlash

Karnataka Reservation: Following backlash from industrial leaders like Kiran Mazumdar Shaw and Mohandas Pai, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has withdrawn his tweet advocating for a ‘Kannadiga quota’ mandating private companies to reserve 50-75% of jobs for Karnataka natives. The proposal, part of a newly approved Bill by the Karnataka cabinet on Wednesday, stirred controversy. Karnataka Labor Minister Santosh S Lad clarified that recruitment could include hiring from other states if there is a shortage of local skills.

“If such skills are not available, people can be outsourced and be given work here. However, the government is trying to bring in a law to give preference to locally available skills. If they are available here…,” Karnataka Labor Minister Santosh S Lad said while speaking to ANI on Wednesday.

#WATCH | Karnataka Labor Minister Santosh S Lad clarifies on CM Siddaramaiah’s tweet (that appears to be deleted now).

He says, “At management (level), it has been decided to provide reservation to 50% of the people. At the non-management level, it has been decided to provide… https://t.co/qDQgUeS37Z pic.twitter.com/057DGHOdnt

— ANI (@ANI) July 17, 2024

Santosh Lad further affirmed that there is no dearth of skills in Karnataka, citing adequate higher educational institutions.

“Karnataka has enough skilled workforce. There are many engineering colleges, medical colleges, IT, diploma, international schools. International investments are coming in here. We are asking them to give 70 per cent of work to Kannadigas. If enough talent is unavailable, they can bring it from outside the state….,” Lad said.

Explaining the provisions of the new Bill, Lad said, “At management (level), it has been decided to provide reservation to 50 per cent of the people. At the non-management level, it has been decided to provide work to 70 per cent…”

Kannadiga Quota in Jobs

On Tuesday, the Karnataka cabinet passed a Bill proposing to reserve 50% of management positions and 75% of non-management roles in the private sector for Karnataka natives. Additionally, the Bill aims to reserve 100% of “C&D” grade government jobs for locals.

On Wednesday, the move drew objections from numerous state industry leaders, who criticized it as discriminatory and expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on the technology sector.