Wildlife Institute of India moves to stall pay of those who skipped yoga event, later backs off

DEHRADUN: The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Monday issued an internal communication warning staff of possible salary deductions for failing to attend the International Yoga Day event on June 21 without prior notice - but later retracted the directive.

The notice, citing "poor attendance" despite repeated reminders, said employees and researchers who skipped the Yoga Day event without approved leave would need to submit a written explanation to their reporting managers or risk having their June salaries withheld. However, within hours, the notice was withdrawn.

TOI accessed the email, titled "Explanation for Absence on International Yoga Day Celebrations 2025," which read: "Please note that while WII ensures the timely disbursement of monthly salaries/emoluments to over 600 employees (including researchers), about 75 individuals participated in this important national event. In view of the above, all those who were absent on the International Day of Yoga without prior intimation are required to submit a written explanation for their absence... The finance officer is requested to withhold the release of the June 2025 salary until the attendance record, tour details, or valid written explanation is received and verified."

WII Director Virendra Tiwari later told TOI, "No such action is being planned. It appears that some administrative staff, perhaps out of over-enthusiasm, went overboard with the directive."

According to researchers at the institute, many staff members skipped the event, knowing that International Day of Yoga was not a mandatory observance under the ministry of environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC). WII, however, had marked the event - with activities like yoga sessions, plantation drives, cleanliness campaigns, and refreshments - as compulsory.

The Dehradun-based WII, an autonomous body under MoEF&CC, has been organising Yoga Day events annually.