Chandigarh (Balwinder Singh)— Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday strongly dismissed opposition protests regarding the recruitment of out-of-state candidates, categorizing the backlash from the Congress and the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) as a mere political stunt. Speaking at a press conference at the Haryana Civil Secretariat following a cabinet meeting, Saini asserted that the selection processes managed by the Haryana Public Service Commission (HPSC) and the Haryana Staff Selection Commission (HSSC) are completely transparent and based strictly on merit.
The Chief Minister targeted the previous opposition regimes, accusing them of systematically ignoring merit during their tenures, which he claimed severely damaged the confidence of both youth and parents. He noted that past administrative failures had left citizens believing that academic dedication alone could not secure employment. In contrast, Saini stated that his administration has established an open, trustworthy framework ensuring that any qualified individual can secure a government position in Haryana solely through their capabilities.
Defending the constitutional framework of the recruitment system, Saini pointed out that youth from Haryana frequently secure prestigious positions through the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) as well as within other states like Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat. He argued that it is entirely fair and constitutionally valid for eligible candidates from across the country to compete for roles within Haryana, describing the influx of external talent as clear evidence of the state’s unbiased and clean hiring practices.
Shifting focus to international challenges, the Chief Minister addressed the ongoing global energy crisis triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent appeal urging citizens to conserve energy by utilizing public transit, trains, bicycles, or walking, and minimizing the use of personal vehicles. Saini emphasized that energy scarcity is a global phenomenon requiring collective civic cooperation rather than partisan political bickering.
In alignment with the federal conservation efforts, the Haryana government has issued directives to state departments to conduct official meetings virtually whenever possible and adopt work-from-home protocols where feasible. Saini expressed immense confidence that the residents of Haryana would actively support the Prime Minister’s appeal, thereby contributing meaningfully toward building a stronger, more resilient, and developed nation.
Responding to opposition allegations concerning rising prices, Saini argued that the Congress party was merely exploiting the current economic situation for political leverage, drawing parallels to their behavior during the pandemic. He countered that inflation ran rampant during the Congress administration, whereas the strategic policies of the current federal government have successfully managed to stabilize prices over the last eleven and a half years. He concluded by noting that both central and state authorities are aggressively promoting electric vehicles to reduce dependency on petrol and diesel while simultaneously curbing environmental pollution. The media briefing was also attended by the Director General of Information, Public Relations and Languages Department K.M. Pandurang, Additional Director Captain Manish Lohan, and the Chief Minister’s Media Secretary Praveen Atree.
