Leave due to lockdown of contractual / casual staff to be considered as on duty

No. 23(4)/E.Coord/2020/1
Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Expenditure
E.coord Branch
*****

North Block, New Delhi
Dated 08 June 2021

Office Memorandum

Subject: Payment of wages to outsources persons of Ministries/Department and other organizations of Government of India during 2nd Wave of COVID-19 -reg.

Attention is invited to this Department’s OM of even No. dated 23.03.2020 and 20.05.2020 regarding payment of wages to outsources persons of Ministries/Department and other organizations of Government of India during lockdown period due to COVID-19.

2. It has been seen that the 2nd wave of COVID-19, starting mid – April and continuing till now has impacted a large number of people in the country. However, unlike a nationwide lockdown last year, lockdown during this year has varied throughout the country based on the severity of the 2nd wave. Due to this there is a likelihood of number of contractual, casual and outsources staff such as house-keeping staff etc. being required to stay at home for various reasons, which under normal circumstances, would result in deduction in their pay/wages. In order to avoid any undue hardships under the prevailing extraordinary circumstances, it has been decided that wherever any such

contractual, casual and outsourced staff of Ministries/Departments and other organizations of Government of India, is required to stay at home due to state wise lockdown imposed by States/UT Governments or otherwise as deem fit by the competent authority, they may be treated as “on duty” during such period of absences and necessary pay/wages would be paid accordingly.

3. These instructions shall apply for the period 1st April, 2021 – 30th June, 2021.

4. These instructions shall also apply to Attached/Subordinate Offices, Autonomous/Statutory Bodies of Government of India.

(Prateek Kumar Singh)
Deputy Secretary to the Government of India