Many GConnect readers have raised the doubt regarding closed holiday to Central Government Offices for forthcoming local body elections next week in Tamilnadu State.

The following DOPT Circular clarifies that in connection with local body elections, viz., Panchayat/Corporation / Municipality, the Government employees who are bona-fide voters and desire to exercise their franchise should be offered reasonable facility, subject to normal exigencies of services, either by coming late to office or being allowed to leave office early or a short absence on that day.

We feel that  this Circular exactly clarifies the doubt raised.

The text of this Office Memorandum is reproduced below

No. 12/14/99-JCA
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG. & PENSIONS
(DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)
NORTH BLOCK, NEW DELHI

NEW DELHI, THE 10th OCTOBER, 2001

OFFICE MEMORNDUM

Sub : Closing of Central Government Offices in connection with elections to Lok Sabha / State Assembly / Panchayat / Municipalities / Corporation or other Local Bodies-regarding

In modification of thse instructions contained in this Department’s OM No.12/4/86-JCA dated 9th March, 1987, the undersigned is directed to say that the following guidelines are prescribed for future for closing of Central Government Offices including industrial establishments in connection with the elections indicated above.

(i) The relevant organizations shall remain closed in the notified areas where general elections to Lok Sabha or State Legislative Assembly are scheduled to be conducted.

(ii) In connection with bye-election to Lok Sabha / State Assembly, only such of the employees who are bona-fide voters in the relevant constituency should be granted special casual leave on the day of polling Special Casual leave may also be granted to an employee who is ordinarily a resident of a constituency and registered as a voter but employed in any Central Government Organization / Industrial Establishment locate outside the constituency having a general / bye-election.

(iii) In connection with local body elections, viz., Panchayat/Corporation / Municipality, the Government employees who are bona-fide voters and desire to exercise their franchise should be offered reasonable facility, subject to normal exigencies of services, either by coming late to office or being allowed to leave office early or a short absence on that day.

2. The employees detailed on election duty may also be permitted to remain away from their normal duties on polling day (s) as also on the days required for performing journeys which might be undertaken in order to perform such election duty.

The above instructions may be brought to the notice of all concerned.

sd/-
(Ranbir Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India