PANAJI
The State government in a notification on Monday has declared May 10 as a ‘Paid Holiday’ being the polling day for elections to the Karnataka Legislative Assembly 2023 for electors of Karnataka State.
“It will be a “Paid Holiday” to the workers of the following establishments which includes industrial workers of the State of Goa; daily wage workers of the government departments and State government industrial departments; commercial and industrial workers of private establishments in the State of Goa; all private establishments and daily wage/casual workers employed in any business, trade industrial undertakings or any other establishments,” stated the Department of Information and Publicity.
Meanwhile, the Goa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) and the Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) have strongly objected to the State government’s decision to declare a “paid holiday” on May 10 for the Karnataka elections.
GCCI Director Sanjay Amonkar said it is highly deplorable to declare a paid holiday in the State whose neighbouring state is going for general elections.
“GCCI disapproves such decisions which undermine the interest of the Goan industry, trade and business. It is unprecedented that the Goa government is declaring a holiday for Karnataka elections. It will be detrimental to the industry,” said Amonkar.
“The GCCI opposes this notification. This will set a wrong precedent as holidays will be given for all types of elections in neighbouring states. The government can still explore many alternatives available in consultation with the industry bodies in a win-win manner,” Amonkar added. The GSIA has said it would consider legal remedies to such “unilateral decisions” by the government.
“How can the Goa government declare it as a “paid holiday” on May 10 for the Karnataka elections. Industries in Goa feel this is absolutely absurd and a stupid decision, taking industries to ransom for electoral gains,” said GSIA President Damodar Kochkar. “If it continues like this for every election, it will be very difficult to do business in Goa. We are also looking out for legal remedies to this type of unilateral decisions by government.”
Responding to the suggestion that this “paid holiday” was only for those workers in Goa who were proceeding to Karnataka to exercise their franchise, Kochkar said: “They could have exercised their right by way of postal ballot.”
