Discord in Karnataka Congress over state government functioning

Both the people and the political leaders are unhappy, say experts.

- BADAR BASHIR

In order to reduce unemployment among Karnataka locals, the Congress Chief Minister of the state Siddaramaiah had planned to introduce a bill that would reserve a certain percentage of jobs for Kannadigas. However, after the state government faced mounting pressure, the bill has since been put on hold. It was initially slated for introduction in the Assembly on Thursday.

Earlier last week, the Karnataka state Cabinet had approved the “Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in Industries, Factories, and Other Establishments Bill, 2024,” which would require private companies to reserve a certain percentage of jobs for Kannadigas. However, the bill faced considerable opposition from industry stakeholders, including NASSCOM, which warned that such regulations would prompt companies to relocate outside of Karnataka.