The Haryana government on Thursday passed a bill providing 75 per cent reservation for local candidates applying to private sector jobs in the state that pay less than Rs 50,000 per month. However, since this contravenes Article 14 and 19 of the Constitution (equality before the law and the right to practice any profession anywhere in India), the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Bill will need the assent of President Ram Nath Kovind before it becomes law.
After passing of the Bill, while addressing the reporters, Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala said that it is a historic day for youth of the state. Now, any new factory or already established factory that advertises vacancies will have to employ 75% locals. He said that the BJP-JJP government is committed to give jobs to local youth and this is a step in the right direction. He said that the bill, which will give 75% jobs to local youth in the private sector, also has provisions for strict implementation. There is a provision for penalty for any company/factory, institute or trust that hides the information regarding its employees.
The Deputy CM also clarified that any employee in private sector will not be laid off but all information regarding employees with salary less than Rs 50,000 will be required to be uploaded on government website, which will be free of cost. The responsibility of registration will lie with the company, firm of employer.
Pointing to the “large number of migrants competing for low-paid jobs” and the subsequent “impact on local infrastructure and housing… and proliferation of slums”, the Haryana government said preferences to local candidates will be “socially, economically and enviromentally desirable”.
The bill also appoints a “designated officer” to act as a representative of the government who will rule on companies invoking the exemption clause citing lack of suitable candidates.
According to the bill, this officer may overrule the exemption claim by directing the company concerned to “train local candidates to achieve the desired skill, qualification or proficiency”.
Under the provisions of this bill companies must register details of all employees getting gross monthly wages of less than Rs 50,000 per month. This must be done within three months of the bill becoming law or a fine of between Rs 25,000 and Rs 1 lakh may be levied.
WITH AGENCY INPUTS