No Furlough for casting vote : Govt tightens leave rules during poll holidays
Shimla, May 15
Hinting at ‘ No furlough for casting vote’ as the State Govt has decided to tighten leave rules during poll holidays. In a directive the Himachal Pradesh government has ramped up norms for grant of special casual leave during the upcoming three-phase Panchayati Raj Institution elections, making proof of voting mandatory for employees seeking leave to cast their vote in their native areas.
A notification issued by Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta stated that the May 26, May 28 and May 30 as paid holidays in the respective Panchayat areas where polling will be held in three phases.
The order stated that all government offices, Boards, Corporations, educational institutions, industrial establishments, shops and commercial establishments situated in the concerned polling areas would remain closed on polling days. The holiday would also apply to daily wage workers under provisions of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881.
However, the notification also introduced stricter conditions for employees seeking special casual leave for voting. The government clarified that employees posted at places different from their native Panchayat areas may be granted special casual leave only after submission of a certificate from the concerned Presiding Officer confirming that they had actually cast their vote.
Sources in the administration said the move is aimed at preventing misuse of election holidays and casual leave during the staggered Panchayat elections. Officials believe some employees could otherwise combine polling holidays with casual leave to leave station for personal purposes without participating in the electoral process.
The government has also directed departments to ensure that leave granted for voting is linked directly with participation in elections. The condition is expected to maintain attendance in offices during the multi-phase rural polls while safeguarding employees’ voting rights.
Separate instructions have also been issued to the Labour Commissioner and Industries Department to enforce paid holidays and closure norms in commercial and industrial establishments not directly covered under the Negotiable Instruments Act.
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