Commercial units must grant paid holiday on poll day: Govt

Maharashtra Government today said it is mandatory for commercial establishments to grant a paid holiday on October 13, to enable employees to vote in the Assembly elections.

"We have declared a public holiday in the state on October 13. Under People's Representation Act, it is mandatory for commercial establishments to grant a paid holiday to staff to enable them to vote," Labour secretary Kavita Gupta told reporters here.

The provision is under an article 135(B) of the People's Representation Act 1951 and excludes essential services like transport, health, milk, water and gas, Gupta said.

She denied reports that shops, malls, theatres and other institutions would be closed on polling day. "The Act has no provision to close down institutions," she said.

The government would deploy flying squads to check whether employees are given paid holiday for voting, she said.