Maharashtra: Vidhan Bhavan employees upset over 50% mandatory attendance amid COVID-19 threat

The number of coronavirus cases in Maharashtra are increasing day by day. Amid the increasing number of cases the legislature secretariat, through an order issued on July 13, made 50% attendance mandatory for its employees.

The employees of Vidhan Bhavan employees are upset with the order of making attendance mandatory, despite 17 membets of the legislature, including four police personnel, testing covid-19 positive.

The 50% complusory attendance has therefore raised the question of safety of all MLAs and ministers, including employees, amid the pandemic. The monsoon session of the state legislature is likely to be held for only two days, with limited presence of legislators, from August 3. 

Maharashtra legislature principal secretary Rajendra Bhagwat said, "“We have asked the employees to come to work every alternate day, to ensure their safety. The decision has been taken only because of the ensuing session.

The employees, however are upset over this new rule, considering the state government has mandated only 15% attendance in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“When the state government has mandated 15% attendance, how can the legislature secretariat ask 50% employees to attend office? At least 17 of our employees [of the total 750] have tested positive, while one has succumbed to the virus. Our employees are not allowed to travel by local trains meant for essential service providers. Most of the employees have been working from home efficiently, and asking 50% to attend office will put their lives at risk,” said an office-bearer of the employees union at Vidhan Bhavan.