HP reads the riot act: Bans strikes, protests by staff during Assembly sessions, warns of termination
These instructions come after the government employees, under the banner of New Pension Scheme Karamchari Mahasangh (NPSKM), started a 'padyatra' from Mandi on February 23
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Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (File Photo)Himachal Pradesh government Friday banned all strikes and demonstrations by the state employees during the period Vidhan Sabha is in session. In instructions issued to officials, the government warned that if any employee indulges in any form of strike, demonstration, boycott of work or give notice conveying intention to do so, should be immediately placed under suspension or removed from service.
These instructions come after the government employees, under the banner of New Pension Scheme Karamchari Mahasangh (NPSKM) headed by Pradeep Thakur, started a ‘padyatra’ from Mandi on February 23. They have planned to gherao the Vidhan Sabha on March 3 in support of their demand of restoring old pension scheme for government employees.
The three-page instructions, issued by under secretary (Personnel) Balbir Singh, have been forwarded by Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh to all administrative secretaries, divisional commissioners, heads of departments and deputy commissioners for strict compliance.
“If any employee or association of employees indulge in any form of strike, demonstration, boycott of work or give notice conveying their intention to do so, the same be viewed seriously and stringent disciplinary action initiated forthwith for contravention of Rule 3 and 7 of CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964 and the salary, wages, emoluments of such employees for the day or days in question should also not be released. The defaulters indulging in unlawful activities should be immediately placed under suspension or removed from service,” read the instructions.
It further stated that instances have come to the notice of the government whereby various categories of the employees and workers have been indulging in strikes, demonstrations and protests without raising their grievances in appropriate fora.
It is observed that often there is forcible confinement of public servants as demonstrations/ meetings are being held both within the office premises during office hours and also outside the premises beyond office hours, leading to forcible confinement of public servants, the instructions stated adding that measures like pendown strike, mass casual leave etc., are being adopted.
“Such activities and demonstrations are detrimental and prejudicial to the public order and also involve criminal offences like wrongful restraint, wrongful confinement, criminal trespass or abetment/ incitement to commit offences,” read the instructions.
Such activities are also subversive of discipline, harmful to public interest, they stated adding that these cause inconvenience to the general public and sometimes damage to the public property is also reported.
The instructions further stated that participation in such activities by Government servants amounts to conduct is unbecoming of Government servant and would constitute good and sufficient reason to proceed against under the Rule-11 of the Central Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1965.
Moreover, during the period when the Assembly Session is in progress and there is general ban on leave and the Government servants are required to assist in transaction of legislative business, such instances are not short of gross indiscipline, insubordination and dereliction of official duties, the instruction added.
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