The Gujarat Government on 2nd March, 2024, published a notification relating to the declaration of certain industries as essential services under the Gujarat Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1972.
The government of Gujarat has expressed its opinion that a strike in industries involved in generating, transmitting, or distributing electricity to the public would adversely impact public utility services and essential community supply and services, causing significant hardship. As a result, the government has invoked its powers under the Act and declared all employment in such industries, including trading of electrical power and coordination activities, as essential services for a period of six months from 14th March, 2024. Additionally, the government has prohibited strikes in these essential services as per the schedule provided in the notification.
The Energy & Petrochemicals Department, through an order on the same date, has enforced the prohibition on strikes in the essential services, specifying the industries involved in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, trading of electrical power, and coordination activities. This measure is deemed necessary in the public interest.
