HC Grants Interim Stay on Haryana Govt’s 75% Quota in Private Jobs for Locals

The quota is applicable to jobs that pay below Rs 50,000 a month.

(Photo: The Quint)

The Punjab and Haryana High court on Thursday, 3 February, granted an interim stay on the Haryana government's law providing 75 percent reservation to locals in private sector jobs.

The Haryana government had notified last year that the law of implementing 75 percent quota for local people in private jobs with a monthly salary ceiling of Rs 50,000 will come into force from 15 January 2022.

The counsel for one of the petitioners, who had challenged the act, said the court has granted the interim stay, news agency PTI reported.

The state government’s notification had stated, “ln exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section 3 of section I of the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act 2020 (3 of 2021) the Governor of Haryana hereby specifies the 15th day of 2022 for the purposes of said sub-section.”

The act provides for the reservation of 75 percent of new jobs to local candidates in various companies, societies, trusts, and limited liability partnership firms situated in the state.

The policy faced backlash as private companies have argued that this will lead to an impact on future business operations and investments.

Further, PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) had said that it is of the view that any Indian should be allowed to work in any state of India without any restrictions.

PHDCCI had stated, "The 75 percent reservation will result in moving out of tech companies, automotive companies, especially MNCs as these are highly skilled manpower-based companies,” Economic Times reported.

Furthermore, the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), with the hope that law will be re-considered, had stated, "At a time when it is important to attract investments at the state level, governments should not impose restrictions on the industry. Reservation affects productivity and industry competitiveness."

(With inputs from PTI and Economic Times.)