Karnataka to ask companies to display number of Kannadiga employees

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Feb 22, 2024: The Karnataka government will ask multi-national companies (MNCs) in the state to make the number of Kannadigas employed there public, said Shivaraj S Tangadagi, Karnataka’s Minister of Kannada and Culture on Wednesday.

 

"We are contemplating making information on Kannadigas employed at industries and MNCs public. It is under discussion and rules will be framed," the minister said.

A committee has been formed where the issue will be taken up, he said. "There are secretaries from other departments who will be involved in the process and MLAs too have given suggestions on the same," Tangadagi added.

He also said that the Kannada language must occupy 60 per cent of the space on display boards of businesses and private establishments in Karnataka. Failing to comply with the mandate may result in the cancellation of licenses and imposition of fines, Tangadagi said.

"We have also developed an app where people can complain about the same and officials will immediately go to the spot, take action and a fine will be imposed. Even licenses will be cancelled if there are repeated violations," he said.

When asked about the Karnataka state anthem, Tangadagi said that it is mandatory for the anthem to be sung in schools.

"There is no change in the rules and we have mandated that all schools will have to follow this," he said.

Notably, a bill mandating that Kannada displays of businesses and establishments must occupy 60 per cent of the space on signboards was passed by the Karnataka Legislative Assembly last week.

Information in Kannada shall be displayed in the upper half of the signboard, the Kannada Language Comprehensive Development (Amendment) Bill, 2024 said in its statement of objects and reasons.

Courtesy: India Today