PANJIM: Following criticism from various quarters with regards to the paid holiday declared for Maharashtra polling, the State government said that the holiday was declared as per request of the Election Commission.
“The request to issue Paid Holiday for October 21, 2019 for electors going to vote in general election to Maharashtra Legislative Assembly was made by Office of Chief Electoral Officer, Goa and same has been complied by General Administration Department, Government of Goa, respecting the legal right of electors entitled to vote in said election,” said a press release issued by Director of Information.
It said that the news item has appeared in media with respect to Paid Holiday being declared in Goa under provisions of Section 135B(1) of Representation of People Act, 1951 and other relevant provisions by General Administration Department, Govt of Goa on October 21, 2019 for General Election to Legislative Assembly of Maharashtra for workers who are entitled to vote at the said election.
The release says that the holiday declared as per law.
“The Election Commission of India has already issued instruction that “all the electors who are employees of establishments and shops including those which work on shift basis shall be granted a paid holiday on the day of poll in the constituency where a general election is to be held. Further, there may be cases where a person is ordinarily resident of the constituency and registered as an elector, serving/employed in an industrial undertaking or an establishment located outside the constituency having a general election. It is clarified that in such a situation, even those electors including casual workers working outside the constituency concerned would be entitled to the benefit of a paid holiday extended under the Section 135B(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.”
“The daily wage/casual workers are also entitled for a holiday and wages on poll day as provided in Section 135B of the R.P. Act, 1951”, it added.
Further, the release says, Paid Holiday to the electors is a legal right enshrined under the R P Act, 1951 and it is a general practice to issue the Paid Holiday notification for electors of State undergoing general election by the neighbouring states.
