Haryana Legislative Assembly Approves Two Crucial Bills in Budget Session
The Haryana Legislative Assembly, convening in Chandigarh on Monday, successfully passed two important pieces of legislation during its ongoing budget session. The bills, which focus on enhancing service conditions for educators and streamlining regulations for travel agents, mark significant steps in the state's policy framework.
Enhanced Service Benefits for Extension and Guest Lecturers
The assembly approved the Haryana Extension Lecturers and Guest Lecturers (Assurance of Service) Amendment Bill, 2026, which introduces key modifications to the original Act of 2024. This legislation, initially notified on January 16, 2025, is designed to provide assured service benefits to extension and guest lecturers who completed five years of service on or before August 15, 2024.
Key amendments include:
- A shift in calculating 240 days of contractual service from the calendar year to a one-year service period under Section 3.
- An extension of the eligibility cut-off date for defining eligible extension lecturers from June 30, 2023, to July 21, 2025, as per Section 2(g).
- Revisions to Section 4, which now stipulates a consolidated monthly remuneration of ₹57,700 for eligible lecturers, with adjustments linked to Dearness Allowance hikes every January 1 and July 1.
- Provisions for annual increments, to be notified after one year from the Act's commencement and subsequently each year.
Additionally, amendments to the Schedule under Section 4 were incorporated, covering ex-gratia assistance and compassionate appointments. These changes were implemented following representations from the Haryana Extension Lecturers Association, highlighting the government's responsiveness to stakeholder concerns.
Alignment of Travel Agent Regulations with Central Laws
Simultaneously, the assembly passed the Haryana Travel Agents Registration and Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2026. This bill addresses inconsistencies between the state's 2025 Act and the central Emigration Act of 1983. The Ministry of External Affairs had informed the state government that certain provisions in the 2025 law, enacted to regulate travel agents operating in Haryana, conflicted with the federal legislation governing overseas employment.
The amendments aim to harmonize state regulations with national standards, ensuring smoother operations for travel agents and better protection for emigrants. This move underscores Haryana's commitment to legal coherence and effective governance in the travel and employment sectors.
Legislative Process and Implications
Both bills were introduced by Minister of State for Sports, Gaurav Gautam, reflecting a collaborative effort in the legislative process. The passage of these bills during the budget session demonstrates the assembly's focus on addressing practical issues affecting educators and businesses in the state.
The amendments to the lecturers' bill are expected to provide financial stability and career progression opportunities for thousands of extension and guest lecturers, thereby enhancing the quality of education in Haryana. Meanwhile, the travel agent bill is set to streamline regulatory compliance, reducing legal ambiguities and fostering a more transparent environment for overseas employment services.
These legislative actions highlight Haryana's proactive approach to policy refinement, balancing local needs with broader legal frameworks to promote social welfare and economic efficiency.
