Punjab and Haryana High Court Rules Against State Residency Requirement in Employment
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled against state residency requirements in employment, stating that no state can restrict employment to its residents. The judgment, released on Monday, quashed a policy by the Haryana government that provided additional marks to domicile holders in recruitment for Group C and Group D posts.
The court observed that all candidates should be equally entitled to selection based on common examinations conducted for all. It quashed the CET (Common Eligibility Test) results declared in January 2023 and July 2023, ordering fresh advertisements and merit preparation based solely on the CET exam.
The judgment criticized the state’s conduct of the selection process as “wholly slipshod,” noting that granting bonus marks for socioeconomic criteria lacked basis in law. It emphasized that weightage based on residence violates the right to equality and creates an artificial classification among candidates.
The court directed the commission to frame rules ensuring transparency within six months. It highlighted that reservations should be based on constitutional provisions and limited to specific reserved categories within the state.
The ruling underscores the principle of equality in employment opportunities, striking down arbitrary restrictions based on residency.
