Former Union minister Sarojini Mahishi on Sunday said she would lead a delegation to the Prime Minister and Railways Minister next week to convey to them the “injustice” meted out to Kannadigas in recruitment of Group D railway employees.
Dr Sarojini told reporters, "It is unfortunate the South Western Railway is preferring candidates from other states over Kannadigas. If Kannadigas do not get priority for jobs in their own land, then where else will they go?" she asked.
She said she would urge the Centre to cancel the on-going recruitment process, and call for fresh applications to accommodate more Kannadigas in the railways. “There must be 50 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in railway appointments.”
Expressing displeasure over the style of functioning of SWR General Manager Praveen Kumar, Dr Sarojini, who is also a Kannada activist, said it was sad he had had failed to protect the interests of the local people.
“As a GM, he has powers to recommend to the Railway Board, the final authority in deciding appointments in the railways, to give preference to local candidates instead of recruiting candidates from other states,” she said.