SRC Warns Officers Of Action If Found Engaging Labourers During Peak Hours

In an effort to combat heatwave conditions, Special Relief Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu ordered the District Collectors and Engineering Departments on Monday to refrain from hiring laborers between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. (peak hours) as the temperature in Odisha has been continuously rising. The Commissioner further threatened to take measures against the involved officials should they deviate from the directives.

“It has come to the notice of the Government that labourers/workmen are still working in the peak hours in some districts which has been restricted earlier and the working time has been rescheduled. It is strictly prohibited to work by the labourers/workmen during the peak hours from 11 am to 3 pm during summer”, read the letter issued by the Special Relief Commissioner to the District Collectors.

The letter further mentions, “If there would be any deviation of the instructions, concerned officers shall be personally held responsible and action shall be initiated as per the relevant Sections of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.” Earlier, SRC Satyabrata Sahu in a letter to district collectors told them to take proactive measures ahead of the elections. Keeping Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly elections in mind, the SRC had earlier asked district collectors to prepare contingency plans and precautionary measures to deal with heatwave-like conditions during the polls.

Notably, for the simultaneous elections to the Lok Sabha and Odisha Assembly, the Election Commission of India has declared four phases of polling in Odisha on May 13, 20, 25, and June 1.