Himachal Pradesh government has declared paid holidays on panchayat election polling days — May 26, 28, and 30 — applicable to areas going to the polls in each respective phase.
According to the official notification, all government offices, boards, corporations, educational institutions, and industrial establishments in the concerned panchayat areas will remain closed on the day of polling in their phase. The order also extends to shops and commercial establishments falling within the relevant panchayat areas, as well as institutions covered under the Industrial Disputes Act.
Daily wage workers will also be entitled to paid leave under Section 25 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881. Employees posted elsewhere in the state but registered as voters in a polling panchayat area will be eligible for special casual leave to cast their vote, subject to submission of a voting certificate from the concerned presiding officer.
The government has directed the Additional Chief Secretary, Labour Commissioner, and the Department of Industries to ensure that employees working in shops, commercial establishments, and factories are also granted paid leave on their respective polling day. Instructions have further been issued to extend additional paid holiday benefits to industrial workers.
