The Labour Department Puducherry (LD), on March 2026, issued a circular directing all employers to grant a paid holiday on April 09, 2026, in connection with the General Election to the Puducherry Legislative Assembly.
The circular mandates that all factories, industries, shops, and establishments in the Union Territory must provide a paid holiday to employees under Section 135-B of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 to enable them to exercise their voting rights. It also clarifies that no wage deduction shall be made, and even employees not ordinarily entitled to wages must be paid for the day.
Employers are required to strictly comply, including for shift-based establishments, as any violation will attract penal provisions under the Act.
[Circular No. 2127/LAB/AIL/Tt/2026]
