INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
KATHMANDU, JUNE 20The government has continued to impose ban on strikes in production, supply and distribution of
essential goods and services with effect from June 15
Each order for restriction on strike in essential services is effective for six months until it is renewed
Earlier, the government had imposed the ban in January.
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As per a notice published by the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Nepal Gazette,
the ban was imposed in accordance with Sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Essential Services Operation Act to ensure that there is no
disruption in essential services.The order is effective for six months and may be renewed afterwards
Earlier, the government had imposed the ban in June.
The MoHA said the ban was imposed and continued in exercise of the
powers conferred by Section 3 (1) of the Essential Services Operation Act, 1957, to make necessary arrangements for smooth supply of
essential goods and services in a systematic manner.There are 25 areas of essential goods and services where strike or bandh is prohibited
They include essential goods and services to be provided from the Department of Consular Services and the Department of Passport, internet
service, postal service, telegram or telephone services, transportation services (road, water and air) and airport runway, and aeroplane
repair and maintenance services.The government has also imposed ban on strike in mint or government press, any service of defence affairs of
the government related to the function of arms, ammunition or production of any military goods and services concerning internal security,
communications and services pertaining to internal security.The other service areas include water supply and distribution, tourism sector
(motel, hotel, restaurant, resort), supply of petroleum products including Liquefied Petroleum Gas, health services in hospitals and health
centres, ambulance, production and sale/distribution of medicines, waste management (collection, transportation, disposal and recycling),
banking, insurance, electricity supply, insurance and transportation, storage and distribution of consumer goods including rice, lentils,
edible oil and salt.Similarly, the ban on strike covers weather forecast, flood forecast and early warning information system, surgical
mask, hand sanitiser and veterinary service.If any person stages a strike or encourages others to do so in the essential public services,
the local administration may initiate legal action against him/her under the act which stipulates a provision of an imprisonment not
exceeding one year or fine of Rs 1,000 or both.A version of this article appears in the print on June 21, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
This article first appeared/also appeared in https://thehimalayantimes.com
