Govt employees remaining absent during bandh to face music

In a circular issued today, the government said it had observed that whenever calls for bandh, non-cooperation and other such things were given by any organisation, normally districts and sub-divisional authorities await specific instructions from the state government regarding steps to be taken for normal functioning of offices during bandh period.

"Henceforth whenever there is a call for bandh, the district and sub-divisional authorities shall take necessary action to ensure normal functioning of all state government offices, undertakings and services including transport, power etc during bandhs," it said.

The circular added: "Employees who absent themselves from duties during bandhs will be treated as unauthorisedly absent and appropriate action like pay-cut, break in service, liability for disciplinary actions etc shall be resorted to".

The government also empowered all heads of offices to deduct pay and allowances for the days of unauthorised absence from duty during the days of bandhs and to initiate disciplinary action for absence during bandh days.

It directed all deputy commissioners and sub-divisional officers to bring this government's instruction to the notice of all heads of office within their respective districts or sub-divisions and also instruct all treasury officers accordingly for strict compliance of the instruction.

"This comes into force with immediate effect until further order," it said.

The circular, which will affect around five lakh state government employees, comes days after Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi banned calling of bandhs by any outfit for a period of one month.