Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has strongly criticized the opposition's decision to boycott a special legislative session, calling it a "disrespect to the Constitution." He defended the assembly proceedings as both legally sound and in the public interest.
One-Day Session Achieves Key Reforms
The one-day session saw the unanimous passage of a resolution advocating for 33% reservation for women in state assemblies, along with significant reforms to the state's clerical recruitment laws. Despite these achievements, 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 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 Service
A 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 government staff.
For Women's Empowerment
The House approved a government resolution moved by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mahipal Dhanda 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.
Opposition Conduct Condemned
The Chief Minister 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."
