The Gujarat government has stated that it cannot enact a law mandating 85% local workforce employment in industries, citing constitutional constraints. Labour, Skill Development, and Employment Minister Balvantsinh Rajput made this clear in the Gujarat Assembly while responding to a question from Congress MLA Tushar Chaudhary.

During the Question Hour on Thursday, Chaudhary, the legislator from Khedbrahma in Sabarkantha district, questioned the government on the implementation of an existing 1995 resolution that directs industries to ensure 85% local employment. He alleged that while industries benefit from state incentives, they fail to prioritize hiring local candidates.

In response, Rajput asserted that Gujarat leads the country in employment generation and claimed that 89% of jobs in Sabarkantha and 95% in Kheda were given to local workers. He admitted that one industrial unit in Sabarkantha was found violating the 1995 resolution, but all units in Kheda complied.

The minister, however, rejected the demand for a stricter law, emphasizing that no state in India, including Congress-led Karnataka, has been able to pass such legislation due to constitutional limitations. He assured that the Gujarat government remains committed to maximizing local employment opportunities through existing policies.