Punjab & Haryana HC Again Directs Centre To File Reply On Pleas Challenging Haryana's 75% Job Quota For Locals Law

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has once again directed the Union Government to file its response on a bunch of pleas challenging the Haryana law (The Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act 2020) which provides 75% reservation for local people in the private sector jobs having a monthly salary of less than Rs 30,000.

On February 22 as well, the Bench of Justice Ajay Tewari and Justice Pankaj Jain had asked the Centre to file its response in the matter, however, when the matter was heard today, the Union, which appeared through the ASG Satya Pal Jain, informed the Court that it has nothing to say in the matter.

It was his contention that since the matter pertains to state law, therefore, they don't have anything to submit, however, rejecting this submission, the Court directed the Union to file a para wise reply to the writ petitions by March 8.

Further, the Court also decided that the matter will be heard on 9th and 10th for petitioners' arguments and on March 14, the State will argue. On March 15, the Union will respond and the Petitioners will get a chance to present rebuttal arguments.

It may be noted that On Feb 22, the Bench had noted it with regret that the Union of India did not enter its appearance despite being served and despite the fact that the Solicitor General of India had personally appeared in the matter on February 3, 2022.

The Court had also noted that the Solicitor General of India had himself conceded before the Court that these petitions involve substantial questions of law which would have to be gone into by this Court, however, the Union still did not enter an appearance in the matter.

Read more about what the Court said in the previous hearing here: "Can't Absolve UOI Of Its Duty To File Reply On Pleas Against Haryana's 75% Job Quota For Locals Law": P&H High Court

It may be noted that the Supreme Court has already expressed a desire that a decision over the pleas challenging the Haryana State Laws be taken on or before 16.03.2022.