The Delhi government has mandated all business establishments, encompassing shops, hotels, restaurants, resorts, trade, and industrial units, to grant a paid holiday to their employees to cast their votes in the Lok Sabha polls in the city on May 25.
According to an order issued by the Delhi government’s Labour department on Monday, Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 stipulates that every eligible person employed in any business, trade, industrial undertaking, or any other establishment and entitled to vote in an election to the Lok Sabha or Vidhan Sabha must be given a holiday on the day of voting.
The order emphasises that no deductions or abatements of wages should occur on account of the holiday granted for voting. Additionally, daily wage (casual) workers are also entitled to a holiday and wages on the poll day.
All business establishments falling under the Delhi Shops and Establishment Act, 1954, and factories covered under the Factories Act, 1948, are required to observe May 25 as a paid holiday.
Failure to comply with the provisions of the Act may result in a fine of up to five hundred rupees for the employer, as per the order.
Furthermore, the order specifies that Section 135B of the Representation of the People Act does not apply to any voter employee whose absence from duty may pose a danger or substantial loss in respect of the employment in which they are engaged.
The voting for seven Lok Sabha constituencies in Delhi is scheduled for May 25, with a total of 1.52 crore electors in the city. (With inputs from PTI)
