UP: ESMA invoked, strikes in government departments banned till Aug
The Uttar Pradesh government has invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) banning strikes in all departments and corporations under it for a period of six months. A notification to this effect was issued by Chief Secretary Anup Chandra Pandey yesterday night. The move comes following the strike call given by certain government organizations from tomorrow demanding implementation of the Center's old pension scheme.
The ESMA, as it is commonly known, gives the police right to arrest without a warrant anybody violating the Act's provisions. The motive of the Act is to maintain normal life in the community. Under the Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968, employees in a long list of "essential services" like post and telegraph, railway, airport, and port operations are prohibited from going on strike.
The Act mandates imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or fine which may extend to Rs. 1,000 or with both, to any person who instigates a strike which is illegal under this Act. A person who will knowingly provide financial aid to the illegal strikes will also get punished under the same penalty conditions of the Act.
In an official release issued in Lucknow, the government said strikes have been banned with immediate effect in any public service including corporations and local bodies. The government has already invoked ESMA in every services of the state universities established under the Uttar Pradesh State Universities Act, 1973, including the constituent colleges, associated colleges, and the affiliated colleges.
