Ordinance Summary

• The Telangana Disaster and Public Health Emergency (Special Provisions) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated on June 16, 2020.  The Ordinance applies retrospectively from March 24, 2020.  It allows the state government to defer any payment due or payable to any person or institution, in the event of a public health emergency or disaster.  Key features of the Ordinance include:
   
• Definitions: The Ordinance defines public health emergency as any health situation arising due to the threat or outbreak of any contagious disease or epidemic in any part of the state.  Disaster means any catastrophe arising due to natural or manmade causes, which results in substantial loss of life or human suffering or damages property or environment.
   
• Deferment of payment: The Ordinance specifies that in the event of a public health emergency or disaster, the state government can defer any payment due or payable to any person or institution.  This includes payment of salary, allowances, pension, or remuneration to government employees or pensioners, including contractual employees.  This provision is also applicable in case of persons working in institutions owned, controlled, or aided by the state government, local self-government institutions, and statutory bodies, among others.  
   
• Deferred amount:  The deferred amount should not be more than half of the total monthly pay, remuneration, or pension of the employee or pensioner.  In case of all other payments due to persons or institutions, the deferred amount should not be more than half of the amount due.
   
• Payment of deferred amount: The government should pay the deferred amount in such manner as it may specify in a notification.  Such notifications must be issued within six months of the date of deferment.

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