Karnataka - Mangalore   

Some organisations declare holiday for polling

MANGALORE: A few entrepreneurs here declared a holiday for their staff on Friday so that they could vote in the second phase of Assembly elections.

Labour officials here had issued a direction that leave should be granted by all industries, shops and business and commercial establishments under Section 3A of the Karnataka Industrial Establishments (National and Festival Holidays) Act, 1963.

Many business establishments across the city, however, functioned normally. It was business as usual for traders in and around the Hampanakatta area, the business hub of the city.

A few companies, however, declared a holiday, including Mandovi Motors, Achal Industries and a tutorial run by Akshaya Adyanthaya.

N. Parshwanath, general manager of Mandovi Motors, a car dealership, said he employed more than 1,000 people in three outlets in the city. The outlets in Sullia and Puttur too had been closed.

Mr. Parshwanath said many of his employees came to work from far-off places.

“They will not be able to vote if they are asked to attend office work. Even their families may not vote in such circumstances,” he said.

If the voting percentage in Dakshina Kannada has been on the higher side traditionally, a part of the credit should probably go to private entrepreneurs who shut their establishments to facilitate voting by their employees.

Banks and government establishments also remained closed in the city on Friday.

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