Salary Cut For Staff Skipping Yoga Event: Wildlife Institute Withdraws Order (image:x.com/wii_india)
New Delhi: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) on Monday expressed concern over ‘poor attendance’ at the Yoga Day event and issued a warning that salaries of staff who skipped the programme without prior intimation would be withheld. However, within hours of its circulation, the Institute withdrew the order.
In an internal e-mail, the WII administration raised concern citing the lack of attendance at the event, even after despite repeated notices issued by the institute and communications from the Environment Ministry.
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“All those who were absent on the International Yoga Day without prior intimation are required to submit a written explanation for their absence,” the email read.
“Please note that while the WII ensures the timely disbursement of monthly salaries/emoluments to over 600 employees (including researchers), about 75 individuals participated in this important national event,” the email denoted.
The institute has asked its permanent and contractual staff to submit explanations to their reporting officer or the Deputy Registrar. Additionally, the finance officer has been instructed to “withhold the release of June 2025 salary” until necessary details such as attendance records, tour details, or valid written explanations are received and verified.
An institute employee told the news agency PTI that attending the Yoga event was not compulsory, and the issuance of such an instruction ‘shocked’ everyone.
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Another communication sent at around 1:55 pm, wherein the authorities informed the staff that the earlier order was withdrawn. Later, they received another directive, canceling the earlier order, the staff added.
Meanwhile, WII Director Virendra Tiwari told PTI that the institute had sent a routine e-mail to the staff. “No such action is proposed,” he said.
The world celebrated the 11th International Yoga Day on June 21.
(With inputs from PTI)
