Karnataka bandh seeking local job reservations will affect local transport tomorrow

• Karnataka Sanghatanegala Okkoota — pro-Kannada organisations — are observing a bandh in the state tomorrow (February 13).
  
• A few organizations of Karnataka want public and private companies to reserve jobs for locals.
  
• The 12-hour long bandh will start at 6 am in the morning, and will affect cab services to the state’s major corporate hubs in Bengaluru.

A few organizations of Karnataka want public and private companies to reserve jobs for locals. To put forward their demands, Karnataka Sanghatanegala Okkoota — pro-Kannada organisations — are observing a bandh in the state tomorrow (February 13).

The organisations want the government to implement the ‘Sarojini Mahishi’ report — which was submitted 35 years ago. As per the report, Kannadigas should hold a certain percentage of jobs across PSUs and multinationals.

State organisations like the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), and Lorry Owners Association are also backing the strike.

Back to 1983

Sarojini Mahishi who is now the leader of the Janata Party was appointed to look into the matter of reservation in 1983.

The next year, they submitted the report, which was tabled before the Karnataka government in 1986. Of the 58 recommendations made, the government accepted 45.

The report seeked reservations for Kannadigas in central government departments for ‘Group C’ and ‘Group D’ jobs. It also demanded a 65% quota for ‘Group A’ jobs. However, it was vehemently opposed by private companies in the state.

Cab services affected in Bengaluru

The 12-hour long bandh will commence at 6 am in the morning, and will also affect cab services to the state’s major corporate hubs in Bengaluru. This is due to the participation from Ola and Uber drivers’ association.

“Association of Ola and Uber drivers in the city have extended support for the bandh. We agree that the recommendations laid down in the Sarojini Mahishi report should be implemented. It will be a boost for Ola and Uber drivers too," Tanveer Pasha, president of Ola, Uber drivers and Owners Association of Bengaluru told The News Minute.

Other drivers’ associations including Jai Bharatha Vehicle Owners and Drivers Association and Adarsha Auto and Taxi Union have also extended their support. However, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) staff and workers associations are yet to react to the move.

Recently, the Goa government implemented a policy to ensure nearly 80% reservation for locals in the state’s private sector jobs. That means, four in every five jobs in Goa now belongs to Goans only.

See also:
Goa will reserve 4 in every 5 private jobs for locals-- making it the third Indian state to crackdown on migration

National Law University Odisha reserves 25% seats to locals — Bangalore campus might follow suit