The government has decided ban strikes in 16 essential services including transportation and distribution of petroleum products, health care, and public transport.

Home minister Krishna Bahadur Mahara approved a decision to ban strikes on the essential services as per Essential Services Act 2014 (BS) on Friday.

The decision will be implemented after it gets published in the regular government Gazette.

As per the act, those involved in the obstruction of essential services are liable to get a six-month imprisonment and Rs 200 fine and those ordering or supporting it are liable for one-year imprisonment and Rs 1000 fine.

The government adopted stringent measure in the delivery of essential services as strikes from various organisations in petroleum supply and transportation started affecting the public adversely.

The essential services act has also been implemented in banking, insurance, power, hospitality, communication, press, and collection and processing of garbage. nepalnews.com