Shimla, May 7
The Himachal Pradesh government has announced paid holidays on May 28 and May 30 for the second and third phases of the panchayat elections in the state. The decision has been taken to facilitate voter participation during polling.
According to an official notification, all government offices, boards, corporations, educational institutions and industrial establishments covered under the Industrial Disputes Act will remain closed on the two polling days. Shops and commercial establishments located near the concerned Panchayati Raj Institution areas will also remain shut.
The notification clarified that polling will not take place in Karjan and Soyal gram panchayats under the Naggar development block, and in Jabana and Namhog gram panchayats under the Anni development block, in Kullu district, as the tenure of these gram panchayats has not yet been completed.
The state government has also allowed special casual leave for employees posted in places outside their voting constituencies in Himachal Pradesh. Such employees will be eligible for leave upon producing a certificate from the concerned presiding officer confirming that they have cast their vote.
The move is aimed at ensuring wider public participation in the grassroots democratic process during the ongoing panchayat elections in the state.
