Odisha govt invokes ESMA against fire services protest

Bhubaneswar, Feb 21: The Odisha government has invoked the Essential Services (Maintenance) Act against the protesting fire services personnel across the state.
The Home department issued a prohibitory order, utilizing the authority granted by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Odisha Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988 (Odisha Act 9 of 1992), along with Section 2 (v) of the ESMA Amendment Act, 2020. The issued notification states that this order will be effective for six months from the date of issuance.
The state government's decision to invoke ESMA is aimed at protecting the interests of the public amidst strikes by the fire services personnel. The notification emphasizes the critical importance of fire services for community safety, highlighting the potential for significant hardships, loss of life, and property damage in the event of service disruptions.
The agitation by the Odisha Fire Services personnel, slated to begin today (February 21), stemmed from various demands, including equitable salaries and allowances comparable to the Odisha police, as well as official recognition of their association, formed in 1980.
Despite presenting their demands to the state government on multiple occasions in the past, the fire services personnel assert that their concerns remain unaddressed. In a show of protest, they have been wearing black badges for the past two months to express dissatisfaction with the government's inaction.
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