RANCHI: Jharkhand high court has stayed the implementation of a law brought by the JMM-led govt in its previous term, requiring private companies operating in the state to reserve 75% of jobs for local candidates.
A division bench of Chief Justice M S Ramchandra Rao and Justice Deepak Roushan issued the order Wednesday on a petition by Jharkhand Small Scale Industries Association (JSSIA), challenging the reservation clauses in the Jharkhand State Employment of Local Candidates in Private Sector Act, 2021.
Last year, Punjab and Haryana HC quashed a 2020 law that sought to reserve 75% of jobs in private companies with gross pay of up to Rs 30,000 a month for natives of Haryana.
JMM said the Hemant Soren govt would appeal the stay in a higher court.
The Act specifies that 75% of vacancies in private companies must be reserved for candidates with domicile certificates from Jharkhand.
JSSIA argued that the legislation violates constitutional principles guaranteeing equality in employment by distinguishing between citizens living in the state and outside. The counsel for JSSIA contended that the state govt could not direct private companies to employ only a certain category of people.
The bench ordered the state govt to file its response and scheduled the next hearing for March 20.
Legislator and JMM chief whip Mathura Prasad Mahto said, “This was part of the Hemant Soren govt’s plan to boost employment among locals. I don’t want to comment on what the court said, but we will challenge it, if needed.”
Congress MLA and minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey said people needed to acknowledge “the good intentions of the govt behind bringing this law”.
