The Indian Supreme
Court on Thursday lifted an interim stay on a Haryana government law that
provided 75% quota to locals in private jobs. The interim stay was imposed by
the Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 3 on the basis of pleas filed by
various industry associations in the state.

A bench of
justices L Nageswara Rao and Pamidighantam Sri Narsimha Rao also directed the
Haryana government to not take coercive measures against employers.

“We do not intend
to deal with the merits of matter as we propose to request the high court to
decide expeditiously and not later than four weeks,” the Supreme Court said
adding that parties are directed not to seek adjournment and be present before
court for fixing the schedule for hearing.

“In the meanwhile,
Haryana is directed not to take coercive action against employers. The impugned
order passed by the high court is set aside as the high court has not given
sufficient reasons for staying the legislation,” the bench said. Appearing for
the Haryana government was Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.

The Haryana State
Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020 mandates employers in the state to
reserve 75% of jobs paying up to Rs 30,000 as gross monthly salary or wages for
locals. The law has a sunset clause and will cease after 10 years of coming
into effect.

The aim of the law
is to increase employment opportunities for locals at a time land acquisition for
industry has left a largely agrarian society bereft of jobs. It was part of the
election manifesto of the Dushyant Chautala-led Jannayak Janata Party (JJP), an
alliance partner of the BJP government in Haryana.

Industry bodies, on
the other hand, believe the law will significantly increase their compliance
burden, especially in case of micro and small industries. There’s also concern
on whether candidates will be adequately available for specific jobs.