The Karnataka government has put on hold a bill mandating reservations for locals in the private sector after a huge backlash from the industry. The government will have a relook at the bill before it is tabled in the state Assembly.
This came hours after the state cabinet cleared the bill, which proposed the appointment of Kannadigas to 50 percent of management positions and 75 percent of non-management positions in the private sector.
The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, was likely to be tabled on Thursday in the Assembly. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah led his ministers in hailing the bill and called his government "pro-Kannada". He stated that their priority was to "look after the welfare of Kannadigas".
However, the move was criticized by the IT industry, which complained that such a bill would hamper growth of tech industry in Bengaluru and impact jobs.