Pune: Paid Holiday or Time-Off Mandatory for Voting on PMC Poll Day, Says Labour Department
Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 13th January 2026: In view of the upcoming municipal corporation general elections, the Labour Department has appealed to all establishments to grant paid leave or adequate time-off to employees on polling day to enable them to exercise their right to vote.
Labour Deputy Commissioner Nikhil Walke said that for the Pune Municipal Corporation General Elections 2025–26, all establishments falling under the jurisdiction of the Labour Department must provide a paid holiday on January 15, 2026. Where granting a full-day holiday is not feasible, employers have been directed to allow a concession of two to three hours for voting.
The directive has been issued in accordance with a circular dated December 30, 2025, issued by the Industries, Energy, Labour and Mining Department. It applies to all establishments, factories and shops, including private companies, commercial establishments, residential hotels, eateries, theatres, trading and industrial units, IT companies, shopping centres, malls and retail outlets.
Walke said owners and managements of all establishments covered under the Labour Department must strictly comply with the instructions mentioned in the circular. He warned that if complaints are received regarding denial of paid leave or voting concession to employees, action will be initiated against the concerned establishment as per the directions of the Election Commission and the state government.
Employees working in establishments, factories and shops across the district have been urged to lodge complaints if they are not granted paid leave or voting concession on election day. Complaints can be sent via email to the offices of the Assistant Labour Commissioner at [email protected] and [email protected], mentioning the name of the establishment, the responsible official, and a contact number.
For further information or assistance regarding complaints, citizens may contact the following officials: Assistant Labour Commissioner Pravin B. Jadhav (9529611807), G. S. Shinde (9730121152), D. D. Pawar (9822733370), S. T. Shirke (7775966606), Kailas L. Mujmule (9823997722), and Superintendent V. P. Sonandkar (9960557116).
The Labour Department has reiterated that facilitating voting for employees is a legal obligation and a crucial step in ensuring maximum voter participation in the civic polls.
