Bengaluru: Minister for Large and Medium Industries, MB Patil, assured on Tuesday that any confusion regarding the draft bill on quota for Kannadigas in private companies will be resolved amicably.
Responding to queries from the press regarding dissatisfaction expressed by leading industry experts about the draft bill, Patil said that the interests of both Kannadigas and industries will be protected.
“The content in the draft bill regarding providing reservations to Kannadigas in managerial posts is advisory in nature, and industry stakeholders need not have any apprehension,” Patil explained.
The draft bill states that when two equally qualified candidates are eligible, industries should prioritise appointing locals, but this is merely advisory, he mentioned.
Patil noted that this has already been brought to the notice of the Chief Minister. A team of ministers comprising the Law Minister, IT/BT Minister, Labour Minister, and himself will soon discuss the issue with the Chief Minister to resolve any confusion.
“There is no doubt that protecting the interests of Kannadigas is of paramount importance. However, industries also need to thrive. It should be a win-win situation for both. Keeping this in mind, any confusion will surely be addressed,” he noted.
“If necessary, we will also hold consultations with industry stakeholders,” Patil emphasised. The government will also take measures to upskill locals, Industry Minister added.
The Minister stated that he has also taken note of the reactions from entrepreneurs Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Mohandas Pai regarding the draft bill.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the bill, Mohandas Pai posted on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), saying, “Indeed! It’s discriminatory, regressive, and unconstitutional. As a tech hub, we need skilled talent. While local jobs are important, we can’t jeopardize our leading position in technology.”
Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, who is also the Chairman of the Vision Group for Biotechnology, said on ‘X’: “As a tech hub, we need skilled talent, and while the aim is to provide jobs for locals, we must not affect our leading position in technology by this move. There must be caveats that exempt highly skilled recruitment from this policy.”
MB Patil said in a post on “X”, “Karnataka is a progressive state, and we cannot afford to lose this race of industrialisation of the century. We will make sure that everyone’s interests are safeguarded. Industries are assured that they need not have any fear or apprehensions and can rest assured.”
