Haryana passes key clerical & gender reforms, defends special session

Chandigarh: Haryana chief minister Nayab Singh Saini has slammed the opposition's boycott of a special legislative session as a "disrespect to the Constitution", defending the assembly's proceedings as both legally sound and in the public interest.The one-day session resulted in the unanimous passage of a resolution advocating for 33% reservation for women in state assemblies, alongside significant reforms to the state's clerical recruitment laws. Despite the progress, the day was marked by an opposition walkout, led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda, which Saini dismissed as a desperate attempt to create "political theatre".‘Constitutional legitimacy'Addressing allegations that the session was unconstitutional due to the active model code of conduct, Saini has clarified that the assembly was convened with the governor's permission and cabinet approval. "This is a legislative matter, entirely," Saini said, citing the Lok Sabha's precedent for special sessions. "To question the decisions of an elected cabinet and the governor is baseless."Streamlining civil serviceA central achievement of the session was the passage of the Haryana Clerical Service (Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Bill, 2026, which introduces several key changes. The quota for Class-IV employees moving into clerical posts increased from 20% to 30%. It redesigned the promotion pathway to be faster and more transparent, providing greater upward mobility for entry-level govt staff.‘For women's empowerment'The House approved a govt resolution that parliamentary affairs minister Mahipal Dhanda had moved to establish a permanent special committee on women's empowerment. The nine-member body will include five women, including the chairperson. The resolution supports the central Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam and aims to secure 33% female representation in the Haryana Vidhan Sabha.Saini identified women as one of the "four pillars" of the mission to make a developed India, alongside the poor, youth, and farmers. "This committee is a milestone that aligns Haryana with the Prime Minister's vision for 2047," he said.Oppn conduct "condemned"The CM took particular aim at the Congress party's absence during an adjournment motion they had initially requested regarding crop procurement.Saini rejected Hooda's claim that copies of the Clerical Bill were unavailable, noting that all documentation was accessible via the NeVA portal. He suggested the House bring a formal resolution of condemnation against the opposition for their "unfortunate" boycott."If they wished to protest, they should have recorded their dissent inside the House," the CM said. "Their absence is a disregard for democratic institutions." MSID:: 130555980 413 |