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MUMBAI: Shiv Sena, known for its nativist stand, has raked up the sons-of-the-soil issue once again. As part of the Common Minimum Programme, the Maha Vikas Aghadi government has proposed to enact a law to ensure 80% job reservation in the private sector for local youths.

At present, there is a 2008 government resolution, issued by then CM Vilasrao Deshmukh, which mandates that all industries that take concessions and incentives from the state reserve 50% of jobs for locals in supervisory roles, and 80% in non-supervisory roles. Also, the candidates must be able to speak Marathi and should have a domicile. The GR was originally issued in 1968 and revised several times.

In July, Andhra Pradesh became the first state in India to reserve 75% of jobs in private and industrial units for locals. According to data from the state industries department, as on March 2019, of the nearly 12 lakh jobs in 3,052 major industries that have claimed incentives from the Maharashtra government, 10.6 lakh (88.3%) are held by locals. And in micro, small and medium industries, of nearly 69 lakh jobs generated, 61.6 lakh (89.3%) were held by locals.

But officials and industry leaders feel the decision to make it legally binding to employ locals may not be helpful for industries. "At a time when the state wants to promote industries in rural areas, it may not be easy for us to find skilled labour across bands to fulfill the reservation rule," said an industrialist, requesting anonymity.

