The Karnataka government has announced a temporary halt to the implementation of the private sector quota bill, which sparked controversy and backlash from various quarters. The bill, approved by the state cabinet, aimed to reserve 50% of administrative and 75% of non-administrative jobs for Kannadigas in private industries.
The decision to pause the bill was attributed to confusion among industries regarding its implementation. Minister Priyank Kharge stated that the government will hold consultations with industries to address their concerns. “Currently, there is confusion among industries, which is why this proposal has been put on hold. We will have consultations with them to address their apprehensions. People in the state have the first right to jobs,” Kharge told Hindustan Times.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also indicated that the bill remains temporarily on hold, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive discussion. “The draft bill intended to provide reservations for Kannadigas in private sector companies, industries, and enterprises is still in the preparation stage. A comprehensive discussion will be held in the next cabinet meeting to make a final decision,” Siddaramaiah added.
The BJP has vehemently criticized the bill, branding it unconstitutional. Senior party leader CT Ravi claimed the bill was a ploy to divert attention from the government’s failures. “This is all ‘natakbaazi’ to divert the issue. The atmosphere is against the CM and Congress government. To divert people from the issue, they are doing this. The Kannada schools are going to close; in the state, they should first think about that. Why are the schools being closed? They are not doing anything regarding this. They are just doing nautanki,” Ravi told ANI.
The Karnataka government’s decision to hold the bill comes amidst growing pressure from industry leaders and the opposition party, highlighting the contentious nature of the proposed legislation. The future of the bill remains uncertain, with the government promising further consultations and a final decision after a comprehensive discussion in the next cabinet meeting.
