Chandigarh, Aug. 26 -- The Chandigarh Administration on Monday imposed the Haryana Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA), 1974 on employees of Chandigarh Power Distribution Limited (CPDL), declaring their services as "essential".

The act ensures uninterrupted essential services such as power supply, public transport, and healthcare by restricting strikes. The prohibition, effective immediately, will remain in place for six months.

According to the order issued by the administration, any strike by CPDL employees could severely disrupt power supply in the city, causing major inconvenience to the public. To prevent this, restrictions have been enforced under Sections 3 and 4A of the Act, prohibiting any strike or demonstration by CPDL ...