High Court stays Haryana's 75% reservation on Pvt jobs for locals

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday pronounced an interim stay on the Haryana government's law promising 75 per cent reservation for state residents in private sector jobs, PTI reported.

However, Additional Advocate General (AAG) of the state Jagbir Singh Malik informed that the state would move a Special Leave Petition (SLP) against the HC order at Supreme Court.

The HC issued the order after considering a plea by an industries association by Faridabad along with others in the state. Petitioners have challenged the vires of the contented Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, arguing it is unconstitutional, discriminatory and violates their fundamental rights.

Meanwhile, AAG asked industries are getting many benefits like plots on rates with concession, but why do they deny Haryana's youth the benefits they deserve. Nine hundred industrial units have agreed to the 75 per cent reservation, he added.

After the HC order, state Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said on Twitter that they would continue the battle for employment opportunities of Haryana's youth.

The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020, came into force on January 15. It applies to employers of private sector companies, societies, trusts, limited liability partnership firms, partnership firms and any person who employs ten or more persons on salary, wages or other remuneration for the purpose of manufacturing, carrying on business or rendering any service in the state. It applied for jobs that offer a maximum gross monthly salary of Rs 30,000, though the cap was Rs 50,000 when it was proposed. The Act was one of the promises made by the ruling Jannayak Janta Party ahead of the 2019 elections.