Govt issues warning against participation in the Nationwide strike

The Department of Personnel & Training has issued a circular warning against participating in the nationwide protest by Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers on November 26th 2020. The Circular quotes instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964 and also Supreme Court judgement. It says any form of strike, including mass casual leave, go slow etc. or any action that supports any form of strike or protest in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. It also notes noted that the Supreme Court judgements have also agreed that going on a strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with the law. 

The order is reproduced below

MOST  IMMEDIATE
OUT TODAY

No.45018/ 1/2017-Vig.
Government of India
Ministry of Personnel,  P.G. & Pensions
Department  of  Personnel  & Training

North Block, New Delhi,
Dated the 25th November 2020

Subject:      Proposed nationwide protest by Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers on November 26th 2020 – Instructions under CCS (Conduct Rules), 1964 –  Regarding.

It has been brought to the notice of the Government that Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers has decided to observe nationwide strike on 26th November 2020 in order to demand related to pay, pension and service matters.

2. The instructions issued by the Department of Personnel and Training prohibit the Government servants from participating in any form of strike including mass casual leave, go slow or any action that abets any form of strike/ protest in violation of Rule 7 of the CCS (Conduct) Rules, 1964. Besides, in accordance with the proviso to Rule 17(1) of the Fundamental Rules, pay and allowances is not admissible to an employee for his absence from duty without any authority. As to the concomitant rights of an Association, after it is formed, they cannot be different from the rights which can be claimed by the individual members of which the Association is composed. It follows that the right to form an Association does not include any guaranteed right to strike/ protest.  There is no statutory provision empowering the employees to go on strike. The Supreme Court has also agreed in several judgments that going on a strike is a grave misconduct under the Conduct Rules and that misconduct by the Government employees is required to be dealt with in accordance with the law. Any employee going on strike in any form would face the consequences which,  besides deduction of wages, may also include appropriate disciplinary action. Kind attention of all employees of this Department is also drawn to this Department’s O.M. No. 33012 / 1/(s) / 2008-Estt.(B) dated 12.9.2008, on the subject for strict compliance (enclosed as Annexure -A) .

3. All officers are requested that the above instructions may be brought to the notice of the employees working under their All officers are also requested not to sanction Casual Leave or any other kind of leave to the officers and employees if applied for, during the period of the proposed strike, and ensure that the willing employees are allowed hindrance free entry into the office premises.

4. In case employees go on strike, all Divisional Heads are requested to forward a report indicating the number and details of employees, who are absent from duty on the day of the strike, e.e., 26.11.2020.

(A.k Singh)
Under Secretary to the Govt. of India
011-23094579

To

• EO&AS/ AS(S&V) / AS(Trg.) / AS(E) / Secretary( PESB) / PS to MOS(PP) / PSO to Secretary( P)
• All Officers/ Sections (including PESB) of Department of Personnel & Training