JD (S) poll promise likely to fall flat

JD (S) poll promise likely to fall flat

The party’s promise of 30 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in IT sector is most likely to remain in manifesto till the next polls – even if it somehow manages to cobble up a majority

Dheeksha Rabindra

Wednesday, May 07, 2008

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BANGALORE, INDIA: There are promises and there also are proposals. Come elections and politicians always make it a point to hurl fresh issues with fat promises made to impress voters.

Now with Karnataka going to the polls, the Janata Dal (Secular) party's manifesto has caught everyone's attention. The party is promising 30 per cent reservation for Kannadigas in the IT and BT sector.

Some see it as a ploy by JD (S) to fiddle with public sentiments. Others voice their objection and wonder if Bangalore, India's silicon hub, actually calls for such a reservation.

When contacted a prominent industry insider, who did not want to be quoted, said the party is playing with public emotions.

"We have over 50 per cent of Kannadigas in the IT industry in Bangalore. It is just a political gimmick," said the source.

12-point program to all parties

KRV (Karnataka Rakshana Vedike), a pro-Kannada outfit, has been clamoring for more employment opportunities to Kannadigas. The organization had staged a protest two years ago demanding reservation for Kannadigas.

KRV spokesperson Saneerappa said: "We had already submitted a 12-point program to all the parties demanding priority to be given for a Kannadiga in jobs."

When contacted the Indian National Congress party said it did not want to antagonize the IT industry.

"If we bring reservation only for IT/BT sector it would benefit only certain set of people. Instead we want to ensure all the educated youths get job whether it is IT or non-IT."

"JD (S) can introduce reservation for Kannadigas by bringing a law. We have said that we will provide stipend to the unemployed youths till they get a job," added the spokesperson.

Who is a Kannadiga?

According to a state government order -DPAR 37 SLC 84 - dated February 2, 1985, the term Kannadiga is defined as: "a person who can read, write and talk in Kannada and has working knowledge of Kannada."

Wipro Technologies declined to comment on the JD (S) manifesto. "We don't speculate and comment on speculations," said Pratik Kumar, head-HR.

Union for Information Technology and Enabled Services (UNITES) Professionals, a Bangalore-based apolitical trade union, felt that locals should not be sidelined.

"We welcome local people getting jobs and everyone have the right to work anywhere. Reservation would not help, but rather efforts are to be made to train them. Training should be the frontrunner," said R Karthik Shekhar, general secretary, UNITES.

Shekhar stressed the need for skilled manpower. "Let them reserve seats, but when there is no skilled manpower what is the use? Further, how do we integrate them into the system is very important."

Without enough manpower, the JD (S)'s promise of 30 per cent reservation is most likely to remain in its 16-page manifesto till the next polls – even if it somehow manages to cobble up a majority.

©CyberMedia News

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