Is Attendance of State Employees Mandatory on July 9?
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Synopsis
In a decisive move, the West Bengal government has declared mandatory attendance for all state employees on July 9, coinciding with a nationwide strike by central trade unions. This unprecedented directive aims to ensure operational continuity amidst widespread dissent against government policies.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory attendance for state employees on July 9.
- Exceptions include hospitalization and severe illness.
- Unauthorized absences will incur disciplinary action.
- Compliance reports due by July 31, 2025.
- All state offices will remain operational.
Kolkata, July 7 (NationPress) The government of West Bengal has mandated that all state government employees must attend work on July 9. This date coincides with a nationwide strike organized by all ten central trade unions in protest against various Union government policies.
The Finance Department issued a memorandum on Monday confirming that all state government offices will be operational on this day, and attendance is compulsory for every employee.
According to the notification, "It has been decided that no Casual Leave or any other form of absence—whether for the morning session, afternoon session, or the entire day—will be granted to employees on the specified date."
Exceptions will be made for situations such as hospitalization, family bereavement, severe illness, or if the absence commenced before July 8. Employees on child care leave, maternity leave, medical leave, or earned leave that was sanctioned prior to July 8 are also exempt.
The notification further stated, "All heads of offices and controlling authorities are instructed to issue a show-cause notice to any employee(s) absent on July 9, asking for an explanation regarding their unauthorized absence. If a satisfactory response is received, leave may be granted based on valid documentation pertaining to the aforementioned exceptions."
If an employee's absence does not fall under any of these specified conditions and no leave has been approved, it will be categorized as 'dies-non', rendering the employee ineligible for salary on that day.
Furthermore, employees who fail to reply to the show-cause notice will face disciplinary actions. All required actions in relation to this order must be finalized by July 31, 2025, with a compliance report submitted to this department.
Point of View
It is essential to approach this issue with a balanced perspective. The West Bengal government's decision to enforce mandatory attendance amidst a nationwide strike raises questions about workers' rights and government intervention. While the objective is to maintain operational efficiency, it is crucial to consider the voices of the employees impacted by this directive.
NationPress
20/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is attendance mandatory for state employees on July 9?
The West Bengal government mandated attendance to ensure all state offices remain functional during a nationwide strike by central trade unions.
What are the exceptions to the mandatory attendance rule?
Exceptions include hospitalization, family bereavement, severe illness, or approved leave that commenced before July 8.
What happens if employees do not attend work on July 9?
Employees who are absent without valid reasons will face disciplinary action, and their absence will be considered 'dies-non', meaning no salary will be paid for that day.
How will the government handle unauthorized absences?
The heads of offices will issue show-cause notices to absent employees, requiring them to provide explanations for their absence.
What is the deadline for compliance related to this order?
All actions related to this order must be completed by July 31, 2025, with a compliance report submitted to the department.
