The Hindu Business Line : TN: Bill to ban strikes introduced

THE Tamil Nadu Government is hoping to arm itself with a legislation that will give it powers to deal more stringently, including imprisonment and imposing a fine, with strikes in any essential service. The proposed legislation is to be called the Tamil Nadu Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2002.

A Bill for this purpose was introduced in the Assembly on Monday amidst protest by the Opposition parties, which felt that the proposed legislation sought to infringe upon the rights of workers.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Bill, there is at present no law empowering the State Government to deal promptly and effectively with strikes in essential services. Such a law is considered necessary in the present context of the activities of certain persons employed in essential services.

Accordingly, it has been decided to enact a law to confer adequate powers on the State Government to deal promptly and effectively with strikes in essential services.

The Bill also seeks to give the Government powers to prohibit strikes in certain essential services, and any strike declared after the Government has issued an order prohibiting it in any service will declared illegal.

The punishment for those participating in such strikes or instigating such strikes or even financing them includes imprisonment up to three years or a fine which may extend to Rs 5,000, or both.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section
Dumping duty mooted on Vit A

Parliament okay for Budget

Fiscal devolution still a major issue: Naidu

$315-m IBRD loan for Kerala, Mizoram

Sharjah free zone woos Indian cos

Rule of origin problems with US -- India for bilateral solutions

State as super venture capitalist

Petroleum Regulatory Bill has arm's length clause

`Krishna-Godavari ONGC project making rapid strides'

Drug, cosmetic rules amended

IEA suggests merger of energy ministries