Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath has invoked the Essential Services Management Act (ESMA) in the state and banned strikes for the next six months.Yogi Adityanath has invoked the Essential Services Management Act in the state and banned strikes for the next six months.
Dr. Devesh Kumar Chaturvedi, additional chief secretary issued the notification in which it was stated that strikes across the state would be banned for the next six months in order to deal with the affairs of the state.
It states that the strike is being banned in any public service, corporations and local authorities which deal with the state affairs of Uttar Pradesh, Livehindustan further reported.
Those who defy the orders will face legal action, the notification has warned.
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Earlier in May, the Uttar Pradesh government had banned strikes for six months by invoking the Essential Services Maintenance Act or ESMA. The decision was taken because of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic.
The ESMA Act empowers a state government to take action against employees who are on strike or refusing to work on essential services which are important for maintaining normal life. It gives state police power to arrest anyone without any warrant if they are found to be violating its provision.
The Act provides for compulsory imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine of Rs 1,000, or with both.
The Uttar Pradesh government had invoked ESMA in May last year and in November, 2020, the order banning strike was again extended by six months.
(With inputs from agencies)
