Paid leave for staff on poll day

West Bengal government on Friday made it mandatory for all establishments to grant paid holidays to their employees on the day of polling in their areas. “It is obligatory for the employers of any business, trade, industrial undertakings or any other establishments of the areas under the Assembly segments to grant paid holiday on respective days to their workmen,” a government statement said. Polling to 294 assembly seats will be held in six phases beginning April 4. The last polling day is May 5.

An exemption to the above holiday has however been granted to fuelling stations.

“The Governor has exempted all classes of petrol and diesel pumps (filling stations) situated within the areas of the Assembly constituencies,” a statement said.