Shelved in 2018, Karnataka government brings back reservation for Kannadigas

BENGALURU: The 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas is back in Karnataka, ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections.
The government has taken legal precautions by not calling it reservation. On Thursday, soon after the legislature session, the cabinet said the coalition government has resolved to implement the Sarojini Mahishi report which recommended reservation for Kannadigas in private companies.
“Giving legal teeth to the Sarojini Mahishi report, which recommended 100 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in non-technical positions in the private sphere, the cabinet resolved to amend the Karnataka Industries Standing Order of 1961by asking companies to provide primacy to Kannadigas in clerical jobs under Group C and D.The amended order will be applicable to all companies which get tax breaks and sops from the state government,” said rural development and panchayat raj minister Krishna Byregowda.
Successive governments have extended exemption from the standing order to Information Technology and Biotechnology companies. The decision to bring back this reservation is clearly with an eye on the Lok Sabha polls and whip up Kannadiga pride, an exercise which began during the previous Congress regime under Siddaramaiah.
The government, in December 2016, planned to provide Kannadigas 100% reservation in mainly blue-collar jobs in private sector. However, there was stiff opposition from industry and forced the government to reconsider. The law department vetoed the reservation for Groups C and D (blue-collar) employees in private sector in 2017, citing that 100% reservation policy would curtail fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution by violating Article 14 (right to equality) and Article 16 (right of equal opportunity).
In January 2018, then advocate general Madhusudan R Naik said the government could suggest to the private sector to give preference to Kannadigas during recruitment but couldn’t enforce it. The AG’s report categorically stated: “Any compulsion to employ Kannadigas in private business or industrial establishments (not receiving state largesse) would be violating the right under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India”.
Byregowda said the government has now taken legal opinion and reiterated it wasn’t reservation but primacy for Kannadigas. “Yes, bringing an amendment to the Acts will attract legal trouble but we’re confident that the amendment is in the right direction,” he said.
Byregowda said the government has also decided to open a redressal forum with all 30 deputy commissioners at the district level to ensure that those not entertained under the quota can register complaints. “The DCs will decide on action to be taken against companies if they don’t follow the standing orders,” he said.
As per the government decision, a Kannadiga is someone who has resided in Karnataka for 10 years with a domicile certificate.
The government has also provided 5% reservation for the handicapped in private companies.
Internship and women cops
The cabinet decided to open up its administration to around 100 postgraduates or research scholars to intern with the state government under 27 disciplines for two months. It will not have any remuneration and doesn’t guarantee a government job. The government also decided to provide 25% reservation for women in the state police force, cutting across 7-8 direct recruitment positions. It’s up from 20% for only two direct recruitment posts.