The Haryana cabinet, led by Chief Minister Nayab Saini, has accepted the Supreme Court’s decision on sub-categorising SC/ST reservations for fair distribution of benefits. The state also announced free dialysis for kidney patients and pledged transparent job recruitment, fulfilling key campaign promises in its first meeting.
Chandigarh: In a major decision, the Haryana cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Nayab Saini, has formally accepted the Supreme Court’s ruling on sub-categorising reservations for Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). This landmark move, made during the cabinet’s first meeting, aims to ensure fair distribution of benefits within the existing reservation system.
The current system provides 15 per cent reservation for SCs and 7.5 per cent for STs. With this new decision, Haryana will allocate specific quotas within this 22.5 per cent reservation to sub-groups within SCs and STs that are underrepresented in education and employment.
The sub-categorisation became possible after the Supreme Court’s ruling on August 1, where a seven-judge Constitution bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, declared that sub-classification within reserved categories is permissible to provide better-targeted affirmative action. The court’s ruling overturned a 2004 judgment by a five-judge bench, which had previously disallowed preferential treatment for sub-castes within SC and ST groups, citing that these groups form homogeneous entities.
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However, in 2020, another five-judge bench, led by Justice Arun Mishra, stated that the 2004 ruling needed reconsideration. They argued that the benefits of reservation were not reaching the poorest and most disadvantaged within the SC and ST communities, prompting the call for a larger bench review.
The Haryana cabinet’s decision aligns with this Supreme Court directive, and Chief Minister Saini expressed confidence that the sub-categorisation will provide more equitable access to reservation benefits, especially for the most marginalised.
Free Dialysis for Kidney Patients: A Lifeline for the Needy
In addition to addressing reservations, the Haryana government took a compassionate step toward healthcare. Mr Saini announced free dialysis services for patients suffering from severe kidney diseases in all government hospitals across the state.
“The first file that I signed after assuming charge was regarding the decision pertaining to kidney patients. We had also made this promise in the elections. The cost of dialysis is nearly Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000 per month, and now, the Haryana government will bear the expenses,”
said Mr Saini. This move offers relief to many families who struggle with the high costs of medical care, especially for chronic conditions like kidney disease.
Tackling Job Recruitments with Transparency
The Chief Minister took the opportunity to criticise the previous Congress government, accusing it of turning job distribution into a business. He highlighted the cabinet’s focus on transparent recruitments, reiterating his election promise of creating 50,000 jobs.
So far, 15,000 jobs have already been provided, and 25,000 more are planned. He assured the public that these recruitments will be conducted without any financial malpractices, promising that money would not exchange hands in the job hiring process.
Commitment to Farmers and Welfare Programs
Mr Saini also issued a stern warning to criminals, urging them to either leave the state or face strict action. He addressed concerns regarding farmers, pledging that every grain of their crop would be purchased at the Minimum Support Price (MSP). His reassurances reflect a commitment to both law and order and agricultural stability.
Emphasising continuity, Mr Saini guaranteed that all existing welfare schemes would remain operational without interruption, ensuring that the state’s welfare infrastructure continues to function efficiently under the new administration.
Assembly Session to Be Finalised
Lastly, the cabinet also discussed the timing of the next assembly session. According to Mr Saini, the date will be finalised shortly, post the festive season, likely within one to two days.
The decisions made during this first cabinet meeting reflect Haryana’s new administration’s focus on equity, healthcare, and transparent governance. With the sub-categorisation of SC and ST reservations, free dialysis for kidney patients, and a commitment to transparent job creation, the Saini-led government has made significant strides toward fulfilling its campaign promises.
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