G.O.(Ms)No.304, Regulation of Period of Absence of Government Employees During Lock-down
The Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-II) Department issued G.O.(Ms)No.304 on 17 June 2020, by order of the Governor, to regulate the absence of Tamil Nadu Government employees during COVID-19 lockdown periods. It identifies when absence must be treated as duty, leave or Special Casual Leave, and extends the guidelines to employees of State Government bodies such as commissions, boards, corporations, universities and companies.
What the government order covers
G.O.(Ms)No.304 of the Revenue and Disaster Management (DM-II) Department regulates Government employee attendance and absence during COVID-19 lockdown periods. It responds to questions arising from reduced office staffing, roster arrangements and the lack of transport during lockdown.
The guidelines apply for the entire periods of lockdown until the Government announces the end of lockdown under the Disaster Management Act. They concern public-sector employment and attendance, not ownership, transfer or use of land.
Treatment of absence and leave
G.O.(Ms)No.304 sets out the following directions:
- Absence from 25 March 2020 to 17 May 2020 must be treated as duty because transport was unavailable.
- Employees who had obtained eligible leave before 25 March 2020 but could not return by 3 May 2020 must be deemed to have joined duty when their approved leave ended. Medical leave cases require a Medical Fitness Certificate.
- An employee who did not attend office even once under the 50 percent roster from 18 May 2020 must apply for eligible leave from that date until resuming duty.
- An employee who missed a specifically allotted roster day must apply for eligible leave from the last day they attended until they resume duty.
- A Government servant receiving medical treatment for a condition other than COVID-19 may be sanctioned UEL on M.C. if requested and supported by a medical certificate.
COVID-19 and exempted employees
G.O.(Ms)No.304 provides special treatment for specified circumstances:
- If an employee is COVID-19 positive, has an affected family member and is quarantined, or lives in a containment zone requiring quarantine, the certified treatment or quarantine period must be treated as Special Casual Leave.
- Lockdown exemptions granted to differently-abled employees by the Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Department must be treated as duty.
- Pregnant Government employees are exempt from attendance, and the exemption period must be treated as duty.
- Government employees aged 55 years or older with co-morbidities may be exempted on production of a medical certificate. The exemption period must be treated as duty.
Who is affected
G.O.(Ms)No.304 applies to Government employees and also to employees of State Government commissions, boards, corporations, universities, companies, institutions and societies. It was circulated to Government departments, heads of departments, District Collectors, courts, local bodies and other constitutional or statutory bodies.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does G.O.(Ms)No.304 affect my land or property rights?
No land or property provision appears in G.O.(Ms)No.304. It regulates Government employee absence, leave and duty status during COVID-19 lockdown periods.
How is Government employee absence from 25 March 2020 to 17 May 2020 treated?
The period must be treated as duty because transport facilities were unavailable.
What happens if an employee did not attend under the roster from 18 May 2020?
An employee who did not attend even once under the 50 percent roster must apply for eligible leave from 18 May 2020 until resuming duty. An employee who missed a specific allotted day must apply from the last day attended until returning.
Is COVID-19 treatment or quarantine treated as ordinary leave?
No. Certified treatment or quarantine must be treated as Special Casual Leave where the employee is COVID-19 positive, an affected family member causes the employee to be quarantined, or the employee's residence is in a containment zone requiring quarantine.
