The Uttar Pradesh government has cancelled the leaves of all district-level officers till November 30 with immediate effect and has directed them to remain present at the district headquarters.
While no reason was assigned by the government for the order, sources said that the measure was taken in view of a possible verdict on the vexed Ayodhya dispute by Supreme Court by mid-November.
The order issued by Principal Secretary (Appointments) Mukul Singhal in Lucknow on Wednesday, said that leave of all field officers in all 75 districts and other places would remain cancelled till November 30.
However, leave would be granted in case of any unavoidable circumstances and emergency of any individual officer, the order said.
The decision has ostensibly been taken to maintain law and order when the Supreme Court delivers its verdict in the Ayodhya case. The hearing on the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid title suite ended in the apex court on Wednesday and the verdict is expected before November 17.
The UP government had taken similar precautionary measures when the Allahabad High Court had delivered its verdict on the Ayodhya dispute on September 30, 2010.