Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,- (a) "essential service" means- (i) any service connected with the supply or distribution of water and with the maintenance of water-works; (ii) any service connected with the maintenance of public health and sanitation, including hospitals and dispensaries; (iii) any service connected with the production, supply or distribution of electricity including any service under the Orissa State Electricity Board constituted under the Electricity (Supply) Act, 1948; (iv) any service connected with transportation of persons or goods; (b) "strike" means the cessation of work by a body of persons employed in any essential service acting in combination or a concerted refusal or a refusal under a common understanding of any number of persons who are or have been so employed, to continue to work or to accept employment and includes- (i) unauthorised absence from duty in pursuance of a common understanding among the persons who unauthorisedly absent themselves from duty or under the direction of any other person or persons; (ii) refusal to work overtime where such work is necessary for the maintenance of any essential service; (iii) any other conduct which is likely to result in, or results in, cessation or substantial retardation of work in any essential service.