Local quota turns bitter pill for cos

Quota may lead to Inspector Raj

- Candidates need to provide Aadhar

- It'll put data privacy at risk

- Govt will periodically monitor companies' hiring

- It may lead to a sort of Inspector Raj

- Haryana may not supply 75% of employees

- Majority of Haryana people engaged in agriculture

There are 3-4 issues which need to be addressed. One, it is against the constitution. Second, Maharashtra had too tried a similar thing in the past, but they failed and the court had cancelled that policy. Thirdly, it is going to affect the existing industry and the new entrants in a way we don't get that kind of a skilled manpower in Haryana, which is required by a specific industry, says SK Ahuja, Secretary General, Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI)

New Delhi: Ahead of implementation of the much-debated Haryana private sector quota law, local associations and industry segments in the State are gearing up for a legal battle, while apex bodies are also hoping to enter into a discussion with the State government on the same.

Bizz Buzz spoke with SK Ahuja, Secretary General, Gurgaon Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI), on Tuesday on reservation policy and why it continued to receive criticism from industry experts not just in Haryana but across the country.

"There are three to four issues which need to be addressed. One, it is against the constitution. Secondly, Maharashtra had too tried a similar thing in the past, but they failed, and the court had cancelled that policy. Thirdly, it is going to affect the existing industry and the new entrants in a way we don't get that kind of a skilled manpower in Haryana which is required by a specific industry. For example, in garment industry, you need designers, tailors, cutters, and similar specific skills are required for IT sector, auto industry." The Secretary General said that the State lacks the required manpower which can meet the target of 75 per cent of total workforce since most people are engaged either in agriculture sector or in government jobs. The Haryana Assembly, on November 5, 2020, passed a legislation providing 75 per cent reservation for locals in private sector.

The State's Governor gave the nod to the bill on March 2 this year.

"One of the other problems with this move is that government wants us to put in the data of the

applicants, which will affect the privacy of the employees as well as the employers. I have to put in their Aadhar number, their addresses, what is the surety that the data will be safe?" Ahuja questioned.

He alleged that the Bill would bring back Inspector Raj because the companies will be inspected on the new employment, thereby stripping companies and employers of the autonomy on workforce hiring. Ahuja anticipates that such a move will be a deterrent factor to Haryana natives living in other parts of India.

He also stated that hospitality and healthcare sectors would be in a disadvantageous position as these sectors depend on people from other States.

"Gurgaon has some excellent hospitals wherein most nurses are hired from the other States. Where do we get the nurses from local Haryana?" he asked.

The association has not yet met the Haryana Chief Minister but is preparing to submit a presentation on the Bill and its implications to the office of Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in a couple of days. Ahuja also said that they are in consultation with lawyers.

"Yes, GCCI has sought legal opinion on our stand and in case we get a positive response, we will seek opinion of our members before knocking at Supreme Court of India doors," the Secretary General told Bizz Buzz. The association has 350 members.