AP Govt unleashes ESMA to counter Anganwadis on relentless strike

The Jagan government has turned serious in the matter of Anganwadis who are on strike in Andhra Pradesh. It made use of the ESMA Act. Anganwadis have been included in the emergency services and have been issued an order prohibiting strikes and protests for six months. The government released G.O. No.2 in this regard. The government has also cut the wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers who have been on strike for the past 26 days. Wages were cut for the entire period of the strike. The government has deposited only Rs 8050 rupees this month instead of the Rs 10,000 salary which is deposited in the account of the workers every month.

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What are the Provisions under ESMA?

ESMA (The Essential Services Maintenance Act) ensures that the staff of the emergency services are not absent from duty. According to this act, the employees of emergency services such as medical and public transport services are not allowed to go on strike or protest. The act empowers the government to take disciplinary action against employees who violate it. The government has the power to fire and arrest striking employees. Emergency services workers who go on strike can be jailed for up to six months. This law has the flexibility of punishing those who cooperated in their strike with one-year imprisonment. Under Section 39 of the National Food Security Act, 2013, Anganwadis come under emergency services, the government said.