(a) whether the Labour Commission has recommended to reduce the existing National Holidays and increase the working hours;
(b) if so, the facts in this regard; and
(c) the time by which the same is likely to be implemented?
(a) whether the Labour Commission has recommended to reduce the existing National Holidays and increase the working hours;
(b) if so, the facts in this regard; and
(c) the time by which the same is likely to be implemented?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS. (SHRI HARIN PATHAK)
(a),(b)&(c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT WITH REFERENCE TO PARTS (a), (b) & (c) of LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION. NO.6345 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6.5.2003
RECOMMENDATIONS OF NATIONAL LABOUR COMMISSION POSITION
(a) The Central Government and all State Governments (a) It is for respective State Governments to should have a uniform policy on holidays. decide the number of holidays as the matter falls within their exclusive jurisdiction.
(b) Only 3 national holidays be gazetted - viz. (b) & (c) The 5th Central Pay Commission had made Independence Day, Republic Day and Gandhi Jayanti broadly similar recommendations and the same Day (October 2) were not accepted in view of its implications. The holidays policy has been reviewed over the years and the number of holidays have
(c) Two more days may be added to be determined by been reduced progressively from 23 in 1960 each state according to its own tradition. Apart to the existing level on an average 13-14 from these each person must be allowed to avail effective holidays every year after excluding of 10 restricted holidays in the year, which he holidays falling on Saturdays and Sundays. or she may be free to choose on the basis of The Holiday policy therefore is reviewed custom, religious observances and so forth. from time to time.
(d) Government holidays should be delinked from (d) Holidays for Central Government offices holidays under the negotiable Instruments Act. including Industrial Establishments are notified every year through administrative instructions only and not under the Negotiable Instruments Act. The number of bank holidays notified by the respective State Governments/ Union Territories under the Negotiable Instruments Act have also been reduced since 2002-2003 to the maximum holidays of 15 days in a year only as compared to holidays varying from 17 to 30 days in a year in different States/Union Territories .
(e) In case of the option of a five-day week, if (e) The five day week system was introduced a holiday occurs during the week, Saturday after due consultation with the Staff Side should be a working day. under the mechanism of Joint Consultative Machinery, on the clear understanding that there would be no reduction in the total weekly working hours. This was ensured by increasing the working hours per day, to make up the loss of working hours on account of closed Saturdays. Previously, the 2nd Saturday in a month was even otherwise a holiday.