'My kids don't deserve jobs in their home city?': PhonePe CEO slams Karnataka's private job quota bill

UPI payments giant PhonePe CEO Sameer Nigam, in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his dissatisfaction with the current Karnataka government’s private jobs quota bill for locals.

Recently, the state government approved the bill, stating that 50% of all management jobs and 70% of all non-management jobs in private companies are to be reserved for locals. However, the government put the bill on hold, stating that it is still in the preparation stage.

The sudden change came after severe backlash from industry leaders, including Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw and Mohandas Pai. They said that the bill would negatively impact the IT sector.

“I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ yrs. My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don't deserve jobs in Karnataka? I build companies. Have created 25000+ jobs across India! My kids don't deserve jobs in their home city?” Nigam wrote in his post.

I am 46 years old. Never lived in a state for 15+ yrs

My father worked in the Indian Navy. Got posted all over the country. His kids don't deserve jobs in Karnataka?

I build companies. Have created 25000+ jobs across India! My kids dont deserve jobs in their home city?

Shame.

— Sameer.Nigam (@_sameernigam) July 17, 2024

Netizens reaction

It is worth noting that he shared this post before the government decided to put the bill on hold. Many people took to the comment section to share their reactions to Nigam's post. 

"A fairly strong comment from a reticent builder. Looks like tech may move out of Bangalore," a user wrote, to which Nigam replied, "I don't think so. I truly hope not. Bangalore is a lovely city! The fact is that Bangalore has contributed massively to the state exchequer, which in turn funds a lot of Karnataka's overall state development and GDP."

We launched smart speakers with @KicchaSudeep sir's voice across Karnataka a while back. ☺️

The shop owner chooses which language they want to set on their speaker. pic.twitter.com/bO6q6SvgRr

— Sameer.Nigam (@_sameernigam) July 18, 2024

When my father was posted in Ranchi, I learned Hindi bcz there was no option for learning Bengali. Next Rourkela where Oriya was my 3rd language. Never learnt my mother tongue formally in school. Most people do pick up the local language for their own necessity.

— Ruchira Banerji (@BanerjiR) July 17, 2024

"Who says you don’t deserve Jobs in Karnataka? All you have to do is LEARN THE LANGUAGE! Why so much hue and cry?," another said.

Karnataka <> only Kannada speaking people. Get it?

I can work wherever I want in India. I can learn any language that I want to. The constitution of India gives me these rights. IT'S MY CHOICE. Get the hue and cry.

— Sameer.Nigam (@_sameernigam) July 17, 2024