In a landmark decision, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has struck down the provision of granting five additional marks in government job recruitments in Haryana. The court ruled this reservation, based on socio-economic criteria, unconstitutional. This decision was delivered on Friday.
The provision allowed candidates from families with no member in a government job and low family income to receive five extra marks in recruitment processes. Several petitions were filed challenging this socio-economic reservation, arguing it violated constitutional principles. The High Court had reserved its decision on the matter.
This ruling clears the way for stalled government job appointments in Haryana. The court’s decision highlights the constitutional issues surrounding the socio-economic reservation.
Petitioners argued that the Haryana government’s policy went against constitutional norms. They contended that the reservation based on socio-economic status was discriminatory. The provision, introduced by the Haryana government, aimed to benefit candidates from economically weaker families without a history of government employment.
Under this policy, candidates from eligible families received five extra marks in job applications. This was intended to level the playing field for disadvantaged groups. However, the policy faced significant opposition. Critics argued it unfairly skewed the recruitment process.
The High Court’s ruling underscores the importance of adhering to constitutional guidelines in reservation policies. It emphasizes the need for fair and equitable treatment in government recruitment. The judgment also highlights the ongoing debates over reservation policies in India.
With this decision, the recruitment processes in Haryana are expected to proceed without the additional socio-economic marks. This ruling may impact future policies regarding reservations and recruitment criteria in the state. It sets a precedent for similar cases challenging reservation policies on constitutional grounds. The decision marks a significant development in the legal landscape of government job recruitments in Haryana.
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