The Maharashtra State Election Commission has already announced that Thursday, 15 January, will be a public holiday in areas falling under the 29 poll-bound municipal corporations. The holiday will apply to government and semi-government offices, corporations, boards, public undertakings, banks, and central government offices within the jurisdiction of the civic bodies.
Any private firm, factory, or establishment found to be forcing its employees to give up the public holiday and show up for work on Thursday would "face the music", the Labour Commissioner’s office has warned. Employees working in industrial establishments, IT companies, residential hotels, shops, malls, shopping centres, factories, and similar workplaces must be granted paid leave to cast their votes, Marathi media reports reminded. In exceptional circumstances where it is not possible to grant a full-day holiday, a concession of two to three hours must be provided, a Lokmat report said.
Private sector workers are urged to lodge complaints regarding such instances with the office of the Additional Labour Commissioner or the Labour Commissioner, Labour Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Walke reportedly said.
Maharashtra civic body elections
As campaigning for polls to 29 municipal corporations in Maharashtra ended on Tuesday, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said people across the state, including Mumbai, have resolved to vote for the BJP-led Mahayuti and bring the alliance to power in these civic bodies. Fadnavis once again expressed his displeasure over Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar criticising the BJP in Pune during the campaigning for the civic polls, and declined to comment on speculation regarding the merger of rival NCP factions.
Speaking to reporters in Pune after addressing a rally in Shivajinagar ahead of the 15 January polls to 29 municipal corporations, including Mumbai, he said people have made up their minds to elect the BJP-led Mahayuti alliance. "Be it Mumbai, Pune, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nashik, or Nagpur, in all major cities of the state, people have made up their minds to elect the BJP. This resolve will not change no matter what claims are made or issues are raised," he emphasised.
