The Karnataka government has asked MNCs in the state to display the number of Kannadigas employees as part of the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill. Not following the rule will cost cancellation of permission to those companies, it warned.
The move has triggered reactions from the industry leaders such as former Infosys CFO Mohandas Pai who has called the state government’s move “retrograde, and it should not happen”. “This will have a huge impact on ‘Brand Bengaluru’ as we did see how the government allowed vandalism to go on earlier when few unruly elements took law into their own hands…” Pai told News18.
Karnataka Minister for Backward Class Development, and Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj S Tangadagi announced the decision on Wednesday.
What is the Bill?
The amendment to the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development Act 2022 applies to establishments, including commercial, industrial, and business undertakings, trusts, counselling centres, hospitals, laboratories, amusement centres, and hotels.
According to the amendment, all entities, which operate with the approval of the Karnataka government or local authorities are required to display 60% of their name in Kannada on their boards.
The bill will be moved to the Assembly for consideration and the state government is framing rules to enforce the law, said state Minister for Backward Class Development, and Kannada and Culture, Shivaraj S Tangadagi.
Other States That Promote Locals
Haryana
The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, which was enacted in November, 2021, and came into force on January 15, 2022, makes it mandatory for private employers in the state to reserve three-fourth of jobs paying less than Rs 30,000 a month for locals.
The 75% domicile quota in private sector employment was an election promise made in 2019 Assembly elections by Jannayak Janata Party (JJP) chief and now Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala.
But the Punjab and Haryana High Court last November struck down the law, terming it “unconstitutional”.
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh had in 2019 passed a law that gave the government right to reserve at least 75% jobs for local candidates in private sector and public-private partnership companies. Unlike Haryana, Andhra Pradesh does not mention the salary limit.
The Andhra government insists that all new units submit details of the total workforce required under the heads skilled, semi-skilled, administrative and managerial employees. If the company gives in written that it requires specialised manpower, not available locally, the state industries department will investigate the matter and make the decision accordingly.
Tamil Nadu
The DMK had promised to reserve 75% jobs for the locals in the state, but it has so far not been able to implement it.
The state budget that was presented in the assembly two days ago unveils a slew of measures to promote and preserve Tamil language.
Uttarakhand
The state passed an interim law that bans the purchase of land for agriculture and horticulture in the state by outsiders.
According to amendment made in 2004 in Section 154 of the Uttar Pradesh Zamindari Abolition and Land Reforms Act, 1950), individuals who don’t hold immovable property in the state before September 12, 2003, can purchase land for the purpose of agriculture and horticulture with the permission of district magistrate.
Mohit Dimri, convenor of “Mool-Niwas Bhoo-Kanoon Samvanya Sangharsh Samiti”, had said it was necessary to introduce such measures so that the natives have the first right to resources, and will ensure employment for the locals.
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