The Jammu and Kashmir authorities on Friday issued an order banning its employees from participating in demonstrations and strikes. As per the order, employees could face consequences if they stage a protest.
The move comes after some employees were found involved in demonstrations to get their demands fulfilled, according to the order. In September, the Jammu and Kashmir Power employees and Workers United Front conducted a 48-hour protest over irregular and delayed salaries. Last year, several employees in Jammu and Kashmir refused to return to work after a series of targeted attacks in Kashmir.
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In the order, the administration has invoked Rule 20(ii) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971. It states that no employee should get involved in or support any kind of strike pertaining to their service or the service of any other employee working for the government.
The order underscores that the provision of the law is not discretionary and could invite serious consequences if anyone violates it. “Therefore, all Administrative Secretaries are requested to circulate these instructions to employees in their respective Department(s) to desist from all such uncalled for demonstrations and strikes: an act of serious indiscipline and misconduct,” the order reads.
Shortly after the order was circulated, opposition parties in Jammu and Kashmir condemned the move calling it an “assault on democratic rights” of the people. The National Conference (NC), The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), CPI (M), and Congress criticized the order.
“LG admin’s blanket ban on peaceful protests by government employees reeks of a dictatorial mindset. Stifling voices of reason in a democracy is unacceptable. Threatening them with dire consequences & disciplinary action is outrageous,” said former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti.
CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami too said that the order “contravenes the International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions to which India is a party”. He added that government employees resort to protest and rallies when their demands are not met.
“The directive is yet another assault on the employees’ and workers’ constitutional rights,” Tarigami said.
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