The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice on a plea by the Haryana government challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court decision to strike down a law reserving 75% of private jobs for locals in the state.
The High Court had quashed the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 which provided for 75% reservation in private sector jobs to persons domiciled in the state.
The High Court had ruled the powers of the State legislature cannot be exercised to the detriment of national interest or directly encroach upon the power of the Union government. The High Court had said that the State cannot force a private employer to discriminate by employing a local candidate, as it could lead to more such similar State enactments that could put up artificial walls throughout the country.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appeared for the state government before the top court and said that the judgment under challenge was not well reasoned. He also pressed for an early date for the final disposal of the matter.
A bench of Justices Aravind Kumar and PS Narasimha orally assured that it would list the matter for final disposal soon. The top court was hearing the Haryana government’s appeal challenging a November 2023 Punjab and Haryana High Court judgment.
