Hello PSakthi,
Govts have appealed to establishments including pvt.sector to disburse salary for the lockdown spells. It's to be treated as 'paid holidays'. Units which were opened & allowed to run with reduced manpower, especially, production & services units could resume operations, partially, if not full capacity. However when the question of payment of wages for idle time during lockdown comes there arises questions, especially affordability of the units running hand-to-mouth. It's not possible for all the employers to pay salary when there is no production>sale>revenue and >availability of funds to defray cost of inputs such as cost of raw materials, power bills, salary etc. Supreme Court was approached by employers questioning the Govt. instructions. The SC though admitted the petitions & heard they didn't pass any orders to salary for lockdown periods. There appears there is no legal obligation on the part of employers for days when there is NO work, therefore NO pay also. However considering the plight of the employees who solely depend on their salary/wage income the SC asked the employers & employees to discuss/negotiate terms for addressing the human problem. In your case its Puducherry- that too for only Tuesdays which can be some how managed, either full wages or reduced wages. I can only suggest, this is a human problem and employers should support their employees in such difficult situations, to the extent possible. Share the grief.