The West Bengal government on Wednesday issued showcause notices to employees absent on February 28, the day of the general strike, and said non-compliance would invite a paycut and further disciplinary action. The showcause notice asked absentee employees to explain why action would not be taken against them for unauthorised absence, a state Finance department circular said. A circular was earlier issued by Home (Political) department to its employees that no leave would be granted on February 28. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had warned of disciplinary action, including break in service.
"Despite such circular, it has been noticed that some employees did not attend office on that day," it said.
After receiving the reply, leave due and admissible might be granted on production of documentary evidence in cases of hospitalisation of the employee, bereavement in the family, serious illness and absence continuing from before February 28), it said. It specified that dislocation of traffic would not be a reason for granting leave as it remained normal on that day. If the absence was not covered by any of the reasons mentioned, the circular said that it would be treated as 'dies non' (no work no pay). It clarified that it would not affect the past service of the concerned employee. The circular cautioned that those who did not respond to the showcause notice, would be liable for disciplinary action.
All actions in terms of the order, it said, should be completed by March 31.