Panel to propose 100% quota for locals in IT, BT sectors

 A government-appointed panel is proposing to recommend 100% reservation for Kannadigas in employment in the information technology and biotechnology
sectors.

The state government, last year, had constituted a 21-member panel to revise the 30-year-old recommendations of  the Sarojini Mahishi Committee recommendations to suit the present day needs of providing employment for Kannadigas.

The panel, headed by Kannada Development Authority chairman S G Siddaramaiah, is likely to submit its report to the state government next week.

The panel will recommend to the government to come out with legislation to give statutory status for providing reservation for Kannadigas in the private sector.

The panel has proposed to change the definition of Kannadigas. The present definition includes any person born in Karnataka or who has lived in the state for not less than 15 years. The panel is proposing to suggest that it be changed to a person born in the state or who has studied in Kannada medium from classes 1 to 10 in Karnataka or outside.

The panel is proposing to recommend that 80% white and blue collar jobs in all private sector firms be reserved for Kannadigas and 100% reservation in Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ jobs.

The Sarojini Mahishi Committee had recommended 65% reservation for Kannadigas in Group ‘A’ jobs, 80% in Group ‘B’ and ‘C’ and 100% in Group ‘D’.

The Siddaramaiah panel has recommended conducting interviews for recruitment in banks in Kannada and that a representative of the state government be included in the selection panel constituted for recruiting employees in companies having a staff strength of more than 100.