Congress Demands Regularisation of Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Staff
Members and leaders of the Congress party organised a demonstration in Panchkula to demand the regularisation of all personnel hired through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam. The opposition accused the state administration of prioritising contractual hiring over regular public employment.
What Happened
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition in the Haryana Assembly Bhupinder Singh Hooda led the protest alongside Congress Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assembly, and party workers. Addressing the gathering, Hooda argued that contractual engagement via the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam exploits job seekers. He called for contractual personnel to be absorbed into formal government service with standard employment protections, including parity in pay scales, Dearness Allowance, promotional opportunities, retirement provisions, and statutory reservation safeguards.
Hooda stated that even gazetted positions are being filled under contractual arrangements through the Nigam, which he argued diminishes constitutionally mandated reservation benefits intended for Dalits, Backward Classes, and disadvantaged groups. He also contended that while the previous Congress administration had expanded the tally of government posts to four lakh to serve citizens and engage youth, the current government reduced sanctioned positions to 2.5 lakh, exacerbating unemployment in the state.
Key Highlights
- Congress leaders and workers held a demonstration in Panchkula against contractual hiring under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam.
- Bhupinder Singh Hooda demanded full regularisation, Dearness Allowance, equal pay scales, promotion tracks, and retirement rights for Nigam recruits.
- The opposition alleged that filling even gazetted roles via short-term contracts weakens reservation policies for Dalits, Backward Classes, and the poor.
- Hooda stated that the BJP had previously announced the regularisation of 125,000 skilled contractual employees during the prior Assembly election campaign.
- Contractual workers are engaged for terms of one year or less, subject to performance reviews that leave them vulnerable to termination.
- The Congress vowed to persist with protests until sanctioned state posts are returned to four lakh and Nigam personnel are regularised.
Why This Matters
According to the opposition, relying on short-term contractual hiring through the Nigam leaves qualified individuals in precarious conditions, forcing skilled youth into manual Class IV roles. Because appointments under the Nigam operate on contracts lasting one year or less subject to official review, workers face employment insecurity. Furthermore, the opposition maintains that circumventing standard recruitment mechanisms directly affects affirmative action guarantees for Backward Classes and Dalit communities in government administration.
What to Watch Next
Congress leadership announced plans to maintain its agitation until the state government restores the total volume of public positions to four lakh and moves to grant permanent regularisation to workers currently engaged under the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the Congress party demand during the Panchkula protest?
The party demanded that all personnel appointed through the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam be converted into regular government employees, receiving equal pay scales, Dearness Allowance, promotions, reservation provisions, and retirement benefits, alongside a return to standard hiring procedures for upcoming vacancies.
What concerns were raised regarding the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam?
Bhupinder Singh Hooda noted that personnel are deployed on contracts of one year or less and face removal if authorities are dissatisfied with reviews. He also asserted that using the Nigam for gazetted posts bypasses regular recruitment and undermines reservation safeguards for marginalized groups.
What previous commitment did the opposition cite?
Hooda stated that the BJP administration had earlier announced the regularisation of 125,000 skilled contractual staff ahead of the previous Assembly election.
Source: Based on reporting published by The Hindu.