File picture of protesters in Andhra Pradesh
With government employees in Seemandhra continuing their indefinite strike, the Andhra Pradesh government on Saturday imposed ban on strikes in the finance department for six months and also brought it under Essential Services and Maintenance Act (ESMA).
The finance department issued an order, banning the strikes in various services for a period of six months.
Other departments are also likely to issue orders to deal with the five-day-old strike. Over four lakh employees in Seemandhra (Rayalaseema and Andhra regions) are on strike, opposing the Central government's decision to carve out separate Telangana state.
The government is also contemplating to implement 'no work no pay' rule to tackle the strike, which has paralyzed the administration and the road transport in 13 districts of the two regions.
Andhra Pradesh Non-Gazetted Officers' (APNGO) Association, which represents government employees of Seemandhra, said the government action would not deter them.
APNGO president Ashok Babu said the strike would continue till the Central government withdraws its decision to divide the state.