Question: Consider the following statements:
i) Ministry of Law has notified Essential Defence Services Ordinance on June 30, 2021.
ii) As per the ordinance employees engaged in essential defence services will be prohibited henceforth from taking part in any agitation or strike.
Which of the above statements are correct?
a) i
b) ii
c) i and ii
d) None of the above
Ans: c
Context
- Ministry of Law has notified Essential Defence Services Ordinance on June 30, 2021.
Facts
- As per the ordinance, employees engaged in essential defence services will be prohibited henceforth from taking part in any agitation or strike.
What is in the ordinance?
- Strikes will be illegal.
- Any person who commences a strike which is illegal under this Ordinance or goes or remains on, or otherwise takes part in shall be:
- Punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year ;
- Punished with fine, which may extend to ₹10,000 or both.
- Persons instigating or inciting others to take part in strike shall also be punishable with imprisonment for a term up to two years and fines.
Why the ordinance was needed?
- Major federations affiliated with 76,000 employees of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) have announced that they would go on indefinite strike from July 26 to protest against government’s decision to corporatize the OFB.
- Earlier government has decided to restructure Ordinance Factory Boards from existing 41 entities to 7 entities that will although corporatize but will still be owned by government.
- The amended law has specified that there will be no change in service conditions of employees of OFB even after corporatization.
- Who will be covered under provisions?
- As per notification, employees involved in production of defence equipment, services & operation; maintenance of industrial establishment connected with military and in repair & maintenance of defence products will come under the purview of Ordinance.
By kameshwar shukla