The industry is sceptical whether the total shutdown as desired by the authorities will actually translate into a high voter turnout even as they have begun counting their losses due to a lost production day.

A complete day off means losses to the tune of a few crores individually for many industrial units that function in Pune. Though the industries will comply with the decision, they said 50 per cent of around 2 lakh employees in IT/BPO sector are from outside the state and may not vote. Between the IT and automotive sectors, there are about 6 lakh people working in the industrial hubs of Pune.

Ganesh Natarajan, chairman and managing director Zensar Technologies, feels that there should be a better method to ensure that citizens exercise their franchise. “The cause is good but the method adopted has to be reconsidered. There are critical assignments particularly from the US and UK that will be affected,” he said.

Mahratta Chamber of Commerce Industries and Agriculture has decided to give a representation to the state government and Election Commission urging them to amend the law to make it a compensatory leave instead of paid leave. “This time we are abiding by the decision by the authorities since we did not get adequate time to take up the issue. One day shutdown will definitely incur production loss. Also there are many employees who don’t have their names in the voters list. The industries should be given the right to make the next off day of the employee a working day,” said Mukesh Malhothra, MCCIA president.

... contd.