Led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the Haryana Congress staged a massive protest in Panchkula demanding the regularisation of employees recruited via the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam. The party accused the BJP government of undermining reservation policies through the contract system.
- Congress demands regularisation and full benefits for staff recruited via Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam.
- Bhupinder Singh Hooda alleges the BJP is undermining reservation for Dalits and Backward Classes.
- The party claims government posts have been slashed from 4 lakh to 2.5 lakh under the current regime.
The political landscape in Haryana witnessed intense agitation on Wednesday as Congress leaders and workers staged a massive demonstration in Panchkula. Led by the Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, the protest targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government's reliance on the contract system through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam.
During the rally, Hooda voiced strong condemnation against the state government, alleging that the youth are being systematically exploited. He demanded that all personnel recruited via the Nigam be granted permanent status in government service. This includes access to equal pay scales, Dearness Allowance (DA), promotion avenues, reservation benefits, and comprehensive retirement benefits. "All future appointments must be conducted through regular recruitment processes," Hooda asserted.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this conflict transcends mere employment disputes; it touches the core of social equity in the state. By filling even gazetted posts through the Nigam, the government is accused of bypassing the constitutional reservation mandates intended for Dalits, Backward Classes, and the economically weaker sections. This shift toward a contract-based workforce threatens to dilute the long-standing reservation framework in Haryana.
The promotion of the contract system over regular recruitment is an indirect assault on the reservation provisions meant for the marginalized.
The Congress leader further highlighted a significant decline in government employment opportunities. According to Hooda, the previous Congress administration had expanded government posts to 4 lakh to bolster public services and employment. However, he claimed the current BJP-JJP regime has reduced this number to a mere 2.5 lakh, effectively making Haryana a hub for unemployment.
Historical Background
The issue of contractual employment has been a recurring flashpoint in Haryana's political discourse. During previous assembly elections, the BJP had made specific promises regarding the regularisation of skilled workers. The current protest is framed by the Congress as a struggle to hold the government accountable to its own electoral manifestos and to restore the employment standards set by previous administrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the specific demands of the Congress party?
The party demands the regularisation of all Nigam employees, providing them with full benefits like DA, promotions, and retirement perks.
2. How does the contract system affect reservation?
Congress argues that using contractual recruitment for posts that should be regular allows the government to bypass reservation quotas for SC/ST and OBC categories.