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Nagpur: The development could be a bad news for government employees planning to go on strike. Maharashtra Government, in an ordinance issued recently, has made a provision of one year jail for those employees who go on strike and paralyse work. Not only jail, but Rs 2000 fine will also be recovered from the striking government employees.
The ordinance Maharashtra Rajya Atiavashyak Seva Parirakshak Ashiniyam-2017 (Maharashtra Essential Services Act (Preservvation)-2017) has already come into force. The aim of issuance of the ordinance is to curb frequent strikes undertaken by state government employees and its cascading effect on various services. But in view of the government employees the ordinance is nothing but depriving them of right to strike.
The government employees of various departments resort to strike for their demands. The strikes cripple work. Many a time, the government accepts the demands of the employees. But the ordinance move is aimed at curbing strikes in essential services. If the government employees disregard the ordinance and resort to strike, then they could be sent to one year jail or fined Rs 2000 or both. Moreover, even a strike threat could also be deemed a criminal act. Police have now been authorised to arrest the striking employees without warrants.
