Industry leaders resent Karnataka's diktat to MNCs to display number of Kannadigas on their rolls
Karnataka government’s latest direction, asking multinationals to declare the number of Kannadigas they employ, has surprised sections of industry in the state.
Calling the policy “intrusive” and “discriminatory”, former Infosys board member TV Mohandas Pai told ET that it could leave companies open to the risk of vandalism in the name of linguistic pride.
“IT companies require talent. They hire people on the basis of open tests and don’t discriminate. If a Kannadiga candidate passes the test, they too get selected,” Pai, who is the chairman of venture capital fund Aarin Capital Partners, said. Karnataka, he added, has historically had a very open culture, especially in Bengaluru, and policies like this — which can cause hooliganism — create a perception of a government that is unable to protect its people.
After the government tabled the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill in the legislative council on Tuesday, Kannada and culture minister Shivaraj S Tangadagi said MNCs must display the number of Kannadigas employed on notice boards on their campuses. Failure to do so, he added, might lead them to lose licences.
“If the government truly wants to promote Kannadigas, they should work with the IIITs to train the people of North Karnataka and help increase their chances of being hired,” said Pai.
A venture fund partner, speaking on the condition of anonymity, echoed Pai’s sentiments, saying: “If opportunities have to be generated, education and talent creation is the way to go…this cannot
