The central government has asked all its employees not to participate in any protest or strike related to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The government has warned personnel of "consequences" if they indulge in it.

 

This statement of the government is of the National Joint Action Council (NJCA).This has come in view of the plan to organize district level rallies across the country on Tuesday under the banner of 'United Forum for Restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS)'.

Central Government on behalf of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT)In the instructions issued on Monday to the secretaries of all the departments, it has been asked to stop the government employees from participating in any kind of strike including mass casual leave, go-slow, dharna etc. which violates Rule 7 of the CCS Rules 1964.

He said, 'There is no statutory provision giving the employees the right to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also agreed in several judgments that going on strike is a serious misconduct under the Conduct Rules and violations on the part of government servants need to be dealt with in accordance with law. 

These instructions state that workers going on strike in any form, including protests, will have to face the consequences. Appropriate disciplinary action may also be taken against them in addition to deduction in salary.  

In the letter, various ministries of the government have been told that the central government employees coming under your ministry and departments, regarding the above instructions under the conduct rules issued by the department and other rules upheld by the Hon'ble Supreme Court. may be suitably informed.

Also, in the order, instructions may be issued not to grant casual leave or any other type of leave to the employees applying during the period of the proposed protest and strike and it may be ensured that the interested employees are not obstructed in the office premises. Allow free access. 

Joint Secretary (Administration) may be assigned the task of co-ordination with the security personnel for this purpose. A suitable contingency plan can also be worked out to meet the various functions of the ministry and department.

The order states that if the employees go on a sit-in demonstration or strike, a report mentioning the number of employees participating in the proposed event should be given to the DoPT on the evening of that day. A Joint Consultative Mechanism for Central Government employees is already functioning in this regard.

The scheme has been launched with an aim to promote cordial relations and secure the largest scale of cooperation between Govt. "The JCMs are discussing the issues brought to their notice at various levels and the consultation process is still underway with active cooperation from the employees' side," the directive said.