Socio-economic Criteria in Govt Jobs is Unconstitutional

• 03 Jun 2024

Why in News?

Recently, the Punjab and Haryana High Court declared the socioeconomic criteria set by the Haryana government for granting additional marks to certain classes of candidates in state government jobs as unconstitutional and set it aside.

• The court ruled that this criteria violated Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution.

Key Points

• The Haryana government had introduced the socio-economic criteria to provide additional marks to certain classes of candidates, including those without family members in government jobs, state-domiciled candidates, and those with family incomes not exceeding Rs 1.80 lakh per annum.
• Petitioners argued that:
  • The criteria further discriminates based on domicile and descent, which are prohibited markers under Article 162 of the Constitution.
  • The petitioner argues that there is no rationale for granting additional marks to a certain class when reservations for EWS, Scheduled Castes (SC), and Backward Classes (BC) are already provided for.

Note:

• Article 14: No person shall be denied treatment of equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
• Article 15: No citizen shall be discriminated on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
• Article 16: Provides for equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters of employment or appointment to any public office.