Mumbai, Nov 17 (IANS) The Democratic Front government in Maharashtra Monday asked industries in the state to provide between 50 to 80 percent jobs in various categories to locals.In a government resolution issued this evening by the State Industries and Labour Department, all industries - small, medium, and large enterprises - have been advised to give preference to at least 50 percent locals in supervisory jobs and 80 percent in other job categories.

Industry Secretary A. Khan said, “Giving preference to locals in the industries has been a long standing policy of the state. A similar resolution was issued 40 years ago (in 1968), but the latest has set up a better framework for monitoring its implementation.”

The government resolution is a policy directive, which can be issued without or without approval of the state cabinet.

It also mentions the setting up of a committee headed by district collector to monitor implementation of the sons-of-the-soil policy, with representatives from various sectors.

The committee would interact with a state-level co-ordination committee reporting to the Development Commmssioner - Industries, to take periodic reviews of the policy at least thrice a year.

The resolution has also provided a definition of who is “a native of Maharashtra”. It said that a person domiciled in Maharashtra for at least 15 years could be considered a local, irrespective of his/her mother tongue.