Panaji, Oct 1 : An association of government employees in Goa on Sunday likened a recent directive which forced booth-level poll officials to work on Dussehra holiday (September 30) to the administrative diktats in Hitler's Germany.
"Such type of directives to work with unorganized working hours were issued only by Adolf Hitler in Germany which were long proved to be wrong. India is a democratic country. We place great importance on human rights and values," said Goa Government Employees Association President John Nazareth.
Condemning the Assistant Election Returning Officers' "dictatorial" directives, asking booth-level poll officials to organise special camps at polling stations on Dussehra, he said: "Issuing such directives by the election authorities gives an impression that they have started feeling that they are above the law.
"It's a well settled law that weekly working hours of employees cannot exceed 40 hours. United Nations are emphasising on the same for the welfare of working class."
Nazareth said that on Friday night, a surprise communique was issued by AEROs, who work under the control of the state's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) directing booth level poll officers to organise special camps at their polling stations on September 30, between 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
"They (booth-level officers) were also directed to call at 5 p.m. and give the report. The recent orders issued by the AEROs also mandates the the BLOs to do their work after office hours, Saturdays, Sundays and on public holidays," Nazareth said.
Terming the government order a "violation of human rights", he said the Association sought election authorities "immediately put an end to such dictatorial attitude", warning that if this is not done, the GGEA will organise symbolic marches at all sub-district headquarters and highlight the issue.
A majority of the state government's 50,000 odd bureaucrats are members of the Association.
Reacting to the development, state CEO Kunal (who only uses one name) said he was unaware of this order and "would enquire into it".
