Reserving Jobs to Locals, An Anachronistic Policy Move!

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  • A vast number of people following the fortunes of the country would be wondering when our political leaders eventually realize the folly of upholding reservations ostensibly to correct the historical blunders. The bane of reservations in the government jobs and education sector has been abused to such an extent that the same continues to be pursued with undiminished vigour even now speaks volumes about the skewed priorities of policymakers. Perpetually pandering to the anticipated good fortunes in the form of people’s blessings at the hustings encourages our political masters to constantly devise measures to please the electorate with illogical enticements.

PC: Basant Kumar Mohanty

  • One of the most embraced measures, apart from the reservations based on complex caste equations taking into consideration an enormous number of castes in existence, is to attempt at whipping up native appeasement emotions by assuring reservations to locals in a particular state. Such a measure is currently adopted by many states wishing to convey the message to the masses that the government in power truly understands them and hence, would traverse any extent to extend job reservations to preserve employment opportunities from getting usurped by others. What an atrocious way of ensuring merit and acquired skills are rendered irrelevant and ineffective.
  • Such a move was granted government sanction when Haryana recently notified the State Employment of Local Candidates Act 2020 reserving 75% of jobs for locals. The law applies to all organizations which employ ten or more people and made obligatory for employers to adjust recruitment in a way that 75% jobs that pay a gross monthly salary of up to Rs. 50,000 are reserved for locals. It is nothing but a retrograde development that will divide the limited labour market big-time. How thoughtless the move can be gauged by the fact that Haryana has reserved percentage of jobs that pay up to almost five times India’s monthly per capita income. Utterly unbelievable.
  • Did the government undertake comprehensive analyses before going ahead with the legislation as the move makes it unviable for businesses to follow the law in letter and spirit thereby reducing the number of jobs available? In an extremely volatile employment scenario prevalent now, the move will pave way for the informalization of labour as employers always look for ways to both compete in the market and follow the law, which is well-nigh impossible. Thankfully, the law does allow exceptions by allowing employers to seek permission for waivers in the absence of the availability of qualified locals.

PC: Sorvar Alam

  • Such a regressive move goes against the tent of India’s much-touted fundamental rights of people to seek a livelihood anywhere in the country. It is also surprising to note that the BJP led government in Haryana, a party never failing to lay tall claims to be nationalist to the core, has resorted to this step. It would be wise if the Prime Minister succeeds in persuading his nativistic colleague to see an adverse effect in pursuing nativism much to the detriment of the national interest.

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Krishna MV
Krishna is a Post Graduate with specialization in English Literature and Human Resource Management, respectively. Having served the Indian Air Force with distinction for 16 years, Armed Forces background definitely played a very major role in shaping as to who & what he is right now. Presently, he is employed as The Administrator of a well known educational institute in Bangalore. He is passionate about sharing thoughts by writing articles on the current affairs / topics with insightful dissection and offering counter / alternate views thrown in for good measure. Also, passionate about Cricket, Music – especially vintage Kannada & Hindi film songs, reading – non-fictional & Self-Help Books, and of course, fitness without compromising on the culinary pleasures.