Hyderabad Elections on 23-11-09: Will Private Companies Have a Holiday?

Dear All,

Is there anybody from Hyderabad? As the Greater Hyderabad elections are taking place on 23-11-09, will it be a holiday on 23-11-09 for private organizations? Please let me know.

Regards,
Govardhan J

Hi Govardhan,

Yes! A holiday has been declared on 23-11-2009 due to the GHMC elections. You can refer to today's DC newspaper (main page).

Regards,
Narendra

Not for all. Most of the private organizations haven't declared it yet. But if the government is too keen on a holiday, they will declare it.

Hi Govardhan,

You can refer GO RT NO 1692 DATED 19-11-2009, which states: "GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH hereby declares the day of poll, i.e., 23-11-2009 (Monday), as a paid holiday for all the employees/workers employed in factories, shops, and establishments falling within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation areas where elections are being conducted on 23-11-2009 (Monday)."

Regards,
Ramesh Raju

Mr. Natureboy143,

Go through the posting of Mr. Ramesh Raju with your eyes open.

Regards,
Narendra

Naren, My eyes are wide open... I think you can't see straight with your eyes. Try to observe with your open eyes what is happening in the background as well. This is India, more than that, this is Hyderabad, brother. Everybody has their individual rules. I am working in an MNC in a very big IT park. During the AP elections, we were in the office and worked, a bunch of employees. I provided the same reference and replied above. I believe you are aware that my eyes are even wider open.

Hi, Mr. Ravi,

Please find the GO attached.

Regards,
Ramesh Raju

But does the Government of AP have the authority to declare it a holiday under Section 135-B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951? Section 135-B speaks only about Parliament and Assembly elections; it does not mention local body elections. I strongly feel that the Government has overreached their authority by declaring a holiday.

- Punnam

Dear Punnam,

I am also of the same opinion. According to section 135-B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, we are required to declare paid holidays on Parliamentary & Assembly elections. The Government of A.P. through its Chief Inspector of Shops & Establishments, exercising his powers under section 31, sub-section 2, has declared this holiday. We are to examine this as well.

R.N. Khola

Thank you, R.N. Khola.

The government declared a holiday under Section 31, sub-section 2, stating that it must declare a paid holiday under Section 135-B of the Peoples Act 1951. To be on the safe side, we are declaring a holiday today.

Next time, if this situation repeats (e.g., local elections), as a good corporate citizen, we will provide flexibility to vote, allowing employees to come or leave early to vote. Ultimately, each individual employee must fulfill their civic responsibility to vote and should not expect to be paid for fulfilling this duty.

Once again, thank you for your opinion.

Punnam
-Punnam