Here are the big stories from Karnataka today

Karnataka Today newsletter: State Cabinet clears bill mandating job quota for locals in industries, factories, and more

1. Karnataka Cabinet clears bill mandating 50% quota for locals in management jobs and 75% in non-management spots

The Karnataka Cabinet has cleared a bill mandating that industries, factories and other establishments appoint local candidates in 50% of management positions and 75% in non-management positions. The Bill has been passed in the backdrop of voices calling for 100% job reservation for Kannadigas. 

The Karnataka State Employment of Local Candidates in the Industries, Factories and Other Establishments Bill, 2024, was cleared in the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on July 15. It is expected to be tabled in the ongoing legislature session. What are the highlights of the Bill? Who is an eligible candidate? Find the details here.

For the first time, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will refurbish four Airavat and Airavat Club Class buses, transforming them into almost-new coaches. This initiative follows the successful refurbishment of 1,027 Karnataka Sarige buses since 2022, giving these vehicles a new lease on life.

According to officials, while a new bus costs around ₹40 lakh, refurbishing an old bus to like-new condition costs merely ₹3 lakh. “The refurbished buses will help us meet the increase in demand due to implementation of the Shakti scheme in Karnataka,” an official said.

Five persons are reportedly trapped under mud after a landslide on National Highway 66 near Shirur in Ankola taluk of Uttar Kannada on Tuesday (July 16) following incessant rains.

Those missing are of the same family, which ran a petty shop by the roadside. An LPG tanker parked by the roadside was also pushed into the adjacent Gangavali river and washed away.