Congress asks EC to ensure holiday on polling day

Bangalore, Apr 16: Ruling Congress in

on Wednesday requested the

to take stern steps to ensure that all private industrial establishments and business centres declare

on Thursday in view of the Lok Sabha polls in the state.

A party delegation led by Energy Minister D K Shivakumar met state Chief Electoral Officer Anil Kumar Jha and submitted a letter stating that many industrial establishments situated in and around Bangalore have not yet declared holiday and are forcing their employees to attend to work.

The letter noted that to ensure polling on April 17, EC has declared holiday under Negotiable Instrumentation Act under which it is mandatory for all industries, factories, garments to declare holiday to their employees enabling them to exercise their franchise.

Requesting the Commission to take stern action to ensure they declare holiday, the delegation also asked it to direct police and labour department to be vigilant and ensure necessary steps are taken in this regard.

PTI