KOLKATA: National Library reopens on Monday, with a section of its employees so that the back offices could start functioning in a phased manner, post lockdown.
The order to reopen the library has sent its staff members in a tizzy.
On Saturday, the employees shot letters the authorities, including the Union culture ministry, under which National Library functions, seeking a review of the order. The National Library Staff Association addressed one such plea to the OSD, National Library, saying “there is a chance of community transmission” if they were to join duty from Monday.
The OSD, K L Kochukoshy, told TOI, “The order to reopen the library is in accordance with the notification by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to restart certain sections and organizations. Of course, there will be exemptions. I am 68 and diabetic. So I shall continue to work from my home in Behala.”
The employees’ union in the library functions under the banner of Joint Platform of Action of Government Sector Employees Association of India. Its secretary Saibal Chakraborty said, “We have written to the authorities that during lockdown period, there is no mode of transport, except some meant for essential services. National Library is not an essential service. What’s more, the state government has declared Alipore and the adjacent Bhowanipore as a hotspot. Not more than five people are allowed to move around in these areas.”
P L Sahu, joint secretary, ministry of culture, officiating as the director-general, National Library, said, “Although the order is general, we are looking at those employees living in the staff quarters within the National Library campus to join work.”
As per the MHA, starting Monday, India will allow key parts of the economy, including agriculture, infrastructure, e-commerce and factories (located outside municipal corporations and municipalities’ limit) to return to work in areas where no infections have been reported.
The library has been closed ever since the lockdown started on March 25. The order was issued on Friday, asking all the employees to report to duty from Monday, as per the roster attached.
The order to reopen the library has sent its staff members in a tizzy.
On Saturday, the employees shot letters the authorities, including the Union culture ministry, under which National Library functions, seeking a review of the order. The National Library Staff Association addressed one such plea to the OSD, National Library, saying “there is a chance of community transmission” if they were to join duty from Monday.
The OSD, K L Kochukoshy, told TOI, “The order to reopen the library is in accordance with the notification by the ministry of home affairs (MHA) to restart certain sections and organizations. Of course, there will be exemptions. I am 68 and diabetic. So I shall continue to work from my home in Behala.”
The employees’ union in the library functions under the banner of Joint Platform of Action of Government Sector Employees Association of India. Its secretary Saibal Chakraborty said, “We have written to the authorities that during lockdown period, there is no mode of transport, except some meant for essential services. National Library is not an essential service. What’s more, the state government has declared Alipore and the adjacent Bhowanipore as a hotspot. Not more than five people are allowed to move around in these areas.”
P L Sahu, joint secretary, ministry of culture, officiating as the director-general, National Library, said, “Although the order is general, we are looking at those employees living in the staff quarters within the National Library campus to join work.”
As per the MHA, starting Monday, India will allow key parts of the economy, including agriculture, infrastructure, e-commerce and factories (located outside municipal corporations and municipalities’ limit) to return to work in areas where no infections have been reported.
The library has been closed ever since the lockdown started on March 25. The order was issued on Friday, asking all the employees to report to duty from Monday, as per the roster attached.
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