Kerala HC Says Govt Employees Who Went on Strike in March 2022 Should Face Action
New Delhi: The Kerala high court on Thursday (January 5) told the state government to proceed with action against its employees who participated in a two-day nationwide general strike in 2022. According to PTI, the court brought up an earlier judicial order that said public servants would be protected if they were to participate in agitations that disrupted public life.
On March 28 and 29, 2022, trade unions had organised a strike over the Union government's economic policies. The state government's submission before the court stated that 1,72,668 employees had struck work on March 28 and 1,62,354 on March 29. There are 4,65,867 employees in the government service.
The petition before the high court had been filed by a lawyer who said that the state government had aided striking employees, by permitting leave to them so that they did not lose out on pay.
On Thursday, a bench of Chief Justice S. Manikumar and Justice Shaji P. Chaly referred to the state government's statement that it was taking action against those who went on strike. "Accordingly, this writ petition is disposed of recording the steps taken by the government as stated in the statement filed before this court along with the documents and consequently, there will be a direction to the State government to proceed with the action and do what is necessary," the court said, according to PTI.
The bench said that provisions of Kerala Service Rules, as well as the notifications issued by the state government, said the participation of any government employee in a strike, in violation of the provisions of the Government Servants’ Conduct Rules, 1960, affecting the normal life of the public was not protected by the Constitution, The Hindu reported.
In its submission, the state government said that salaries of 1,68,598 employees were withheld for striking work on March 28 and that of 1,29,209 employees on March 29. The government also said that disciplinary action was taken against 24 employees who were absent on March 28 and against four for being absent on March 29.
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
