Karnataka's Local Jobs Reservation Bill

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Context

• The Karnataka Cabinet had cleared a draft Bill mandating reservations for locals in private sector roles.
• But the Karnataka government has again paused, and will further study the bill directing private firms in the state to reserve jobs for Kannadigas. 

Details of the Draft Bill

• Purpose: Aimed to secure job opportunities for Kannadigas in private industries, specifying quotas for managerial and non-managerial positions.
• Specific Quotas: Proposed 50% reservation in management and 70% in non-management positions for local candidates.
• Industry Concerns: Criticism centered on potential relocation of firms and impact on Karnataka's technological leadership.

Who is a ‘local’?

• The bill defines a local candidate as a person born in Karnataka and domiciled in the State for 15 years.
• Additionally, the person should speak, read and write Kannada in a legible manner. 
• The candidates should have a secondary school certificate with Kannada as a language.
• If not, they must pass a Kannada proficiency test as specified by the nodal agency.
  

Penalties in case of breach of the proposed law

• The bill prescribes monetary penalty of ₹10,000 to ₹ 1 lakh in case of an isolated or repeated breach of any of its provisions. It provides a limitation period of six months for prosecution.

OTHER STATES WITH SIMILAR LAWS AND THEIR CURRENT STATUS In recent years, several states have introduced legislation aimed at reserving jobs for local candidates in both the private and public sectors. Andhra Pradesh led with the Andhra Pradesh Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries/Factories Act in 2019, which sought to reserve 75% of jobs for locals. However, its implementation has been stalled following constitutional challenges in the Andhra Pradesh High Court. Similarly, Haryana enacted the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act in 2020, mandating a 75% quota in private sector jobs for locals. This law was subsequently struck down by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2022, citing violations of Articles 14 and 19 of the Constitution. Meanwhile, Jharkhand's move to increase reservation in state government jobs for SC/ST/OBC/EWS categories to 77% through the Jharkhand Reservation of Vacancies in Posts and Services (Amendment) Bill has faced administrative hurdles. Despite being passed again in 2023, the bill awaits gubernatorial assent, reflecting ongoing legal and procedural challenges in implementing such reservation policies across Indian states.

 READ A DETAILED ARTICLE ON RESERVATION IN PRIVATE SECTOR, ITS PROS AND CONS: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/reservation-in-private-sector#:~:text=Argument%20against%20Reservation%20in%20Private,respectively%20of%20the%20Indian%20Constitution.

JOB RESERVATION IN PRIVATE SECTOR FOR LOCALS: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/job-reservation-in-private-sector-for-locals

PRACTICE QUESTION Q. Discuss the implementation of reservation policies in the private sector in India, focusing on their advantages and disadvantages.

SOURCE: THE HINDU