Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam – HKRNL: The Haryana High Court has issued a notice to the Chief Secretary and officials associated with the Haryana Kaushal Rozgar Nigam Limited (HKRNL) on allegations of contempt of court. This follows a petition filed by Jagbir Malik, asserting that the state’s practice of appointing personnel on a contractual basis under HKRNL violates judicial directives aimed at curbing ad hocism in public employment.
Details of the Contempt Petition
- Background:
The petition highlights that both the High Court and the Supreme Court have repeatedly instructed against filling public posts on an ad hoc or contractual basis. The petitioner cited a 2004 directive in the case of Sajjan Singh vs. State of Haryana, where the High Court prohibited contract-based recruitment, except for temporary projects or roles of a specific duration. - Appointments Under HKRNL:
Despite these legal precedents, the Haryana government has reportedly used HKRNL to appoint individuals on a contractual basis for lakhs of sanctioned posts. Roles advertised include Primary Teachers (PRT), Trained Graduate Teachers (TGT), Post Graduate Teachers (PGT), Junior Engineers (JE), Lab Technicians, Radiographers, and Staff Nurses. - Supreme Court Observations:
The petition also referenced the Supreme Court’s judgment in Secretary, State of Karnataka vs. Uma Devi, where the constitutional bench emphasized the importance of regular and proper recruitment methods. It criticized the continuation of temporary employment in permanent positions as a deviation from constitutional norms.
Court’s Response and Directions
Justice Harkesh Manuja, presiding over the matter, directed Chief Secretary Vivek Joshi, HKRNL Co-Chairman, and CEO Amit Khatri to submit their replies. The court will examine whether these appointments deliberately bypass established rules and previous judicial rulings.
Implications for Public Employment
The case underscores ongoing concerns about adherence to constitutional recruitment practices in Haryana. If the court finds the appointments to be in contempt of earlier rulings, it could lead to significant legal and administrative reforms in how public posts are filled in the state.
Further developments will hinge on the responses from the Chief Secretary and HKRNL officials.
