BANGALORE: Striking work will be a non-bailable
offense in Karnataka , once the Karnataka Essential
Services Maintenance Bill, 2013, which is tabled in the
winter session of the state legislature in Belgaum, is
passed.
Also, once the bill , popularly called as ESMA comes into
effect, the police can arrest a striking employee without
warrant. It is to put an end to employees working in
water, power, health, transport and service sectors
going on strikes, inconveniencing people.
As per the bill, the definition under ESMA for essential
services include any service connected with the
production, generation, storage, transmission, supply or
distribution of water or electricity and any
transportation service for the carriage of passengers or
goods by motor vehicles. It also gives the government the power to declare even those services that the State
has powers to make laws for under List II of the 7th Schedule of the Constitution, as essential services.
Upon conviction, those who commence a strike or continue to go on strike or takes part in any strike will be
punished with a sentence up to one year or with fine up to Rs 5,000 or both. Those instigating or financing
strikes also face the same punishment .
The order will come into force for a period of one year from the date the government publishes the order.
However, it can be extended up to six months.
Striking work will be a non-bailable offense in Karnataka
