Chandigarh: Haryana Governor Satyadeo Narain Arya has sought clarifications from the BJP-JJP government about the provisions of Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Bill, 2020 before considering giving his assent to it.
The bill passed by the state assembly on 5 November provides for 75 per cent reservation to local candidates in private sector jobs, and has been pending the assent of the governor ever since.
Deputy Chief Minister and JJP chief Dushyant Chautala, while speaking to the media at his residence in Chandigarh Thursday, confirmed that the governor’s office has sought certain clarifications on the provisions of the bill.
He, however, made it clear that the governor had merely sought clarifications on the provisions and not returned the bill for reconsideration or review.
Chautala said the government is sending the clarifications to the governor after which he was hopeful that the bill would get his assent.
While Chautala made it sound like a routine exercise, the governor’s move comes amid increasing apprehensions about the stability of the BJP-JJP alliance in the state over the issue of the farmers’ agitation.
Though the legislation was brought as part of the common minimum programme drawn up by the BJP-JJP alliance after coming to power, it was mainly piloted by Chautala. The legislation was his party’s election promise.
The governor’s move as a result is being seen as a setback to the JJP, which has the potential to further sour the relationship between the alliance partners.
Also read: ‘Farmers’ party’ JJP under pressure to pull out of BJP-led govt, Dushyant Chautala faces heat
Alliance under strain
The ruling alliance partners seem to have hit the panic button earlier this week as the continuing farmers’ protest stoked disgruntlement in the coalition.
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar and Chautala have been holding a series of meetings since earlier this week to keep the flock together.
Six of the JJP’s 10 MLAs and some Independents have given a virtual ultimatum to the ruling parties to get in touch with the central government — led by the BJP — and urged them to resolve the farmers issue at the earliest.
Khattar and Chautala first met Home Minister Amit Shah and then Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi this week.
The bill
Last year in July, the state cabinet had approved the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Ordinance, 2020.
It provides for 75 per cent of the new employment to be given to local candidates for jobs having salary of less than Rs 50,000 per month in various privately managed companies, societies, trusts, limited liability partnership firms and partnership firms etc. situated in Haryana.
However, the employers will have the option to recruit local candidates from one district to only 10 per cent. Exemption clauses shall also be provided, if suitable local candidates are not available for a particular category of industry.
In August, the governor reserved the ordinance for the President’s consideration. It was sent to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs for scrutiny before the President could see it.
Sources in the government said this was done on the basis of the Haryana law department’s opinion that the legislation was in violation of the fundamental rights to equality and freedom.
In October, the ordinance was withdrawn as two months had passed since it was brought in. It was then decided that a replica of the ordinance would be passed in the assembly.
Also read: Protesting farmers should go get govt nod for SYL Canal, says Haryana agriculture minister