HC stays GO on weekly holiday

By Our Staff Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 19. A Government Order changing the weekly holiday for fair price shops in the State from Sundays to Fridays has been stayed by the Madras High Court. The Government issued the impugned order on July 12, and it was to come into effect from July 20.

Mr. Justice K. Ravirajapandian granted an interim stay for two weeks, on a petition filed on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC) Employees Union.

The petitioner-union had stated that weekly holiday was a condition of service under SL No. 5 of the IV Schedule Act. ``Under Section 9-A of the Industrial Disputes Act, the union or workers should have been duly informed, and such a notice is mandatory'', it added.

Even if the Government took certain decisions, they could not be implemented except in accordance with the procedures laid down by the Act, the petitioners contended.

Suspension stayed

The court also stayed the suspension of two TNCSC employees in the aftermath of the former Transport Minister, Mr. Ponmudi's inspection of the TNCSC godown in Villupuram.

On June 26, Mr. Ponmudi entered the godown, apparently to disprove the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa's, charge that the previous Government had procured and stored about 324 tonnes of rotten rice in the godown. He took some supporters and presspersons along with him.

In the aftermath of the incident, which led to the arrest of Mr. Ponmudi and the Sun TV reporter in Villupuram, the Assistant Quality Inspector, Mr. A. Vijaraghavan, and a clerk, Mr. V. Murthy, were suspended for dereliction of duty.

Mr. Justice K. Raviraja Pandian granted the interim stay after admitting a petition filed by the suspended TNCSC employees today.

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