Govt notice to 129 companies

For failing to implement the Dr Sarojini Mahishi Committee report's recommendations on employing Kannadigas, Karnataka commerce and industries department has served notices on 129 companies in the state.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Karnataka minister for large and medium-scale industries, infrastructure and civil aviation, P G R Sindhia said, a high level committee comprising chief secretary and commerce and industries department officials, received employment offered and persons recruited by companies set up in the last five years.

According to Dr Sarojini Mahishi Report, an industryompany has to provide 80 per cent of employment to Kannadigas and the state government is taking action on this report 24 years after it was submitted.

At the meeting on April 23 and May 16, the committee scrutinised 50 industrialists and 837 companies, excluding ITES, BPO and biotech companies. Of these, only 129 establishments were identified for failing to meet the jobs quotas for Kannadigas as per the Dr Sarojini Mahishi Committee report.

The minister said notices have been served and the ministry is awaiting their reply. "Once we get the reply from these companies, a cabinet sub-committee headed by chief minster is likely to review to initiate further action," he added.

Among the districts, Bangalore urban tops the list of companies served notice (94 companies) followed by Bangalore rural 14 units, Mysore 5 units, Mandya, Shimoga, Chitradurga, Belgaum, Bidar two units each and Kolar, Mangalore, Karwar, Bellary, Koppal and Haveri one unit each.