2. In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires-
(a) "essential service" means -
(i) any public service in connection with the affairs of the State of Uttar Pradesh ;
[(ii) any service under an educational institution recognized by the Director of Education, or by the Board of High School and Intermediate Education, Uttar Pradesh, or service under a University incorporated by or under an Uttar Pradesh Act including any affiliated college, associated college, autonomous college, constituent college or Institute of any such University. ]
(iii) any service under a local authority ;
[(iv) any service in connection with the U. P. State Co-operative Land Development Bank or any other State Level Co-operative Society, mentioned in clause (a-4) of section 2 of the Uttar Pradesh Co-operative Societies Act, 1965, or its member co-operative societies, registered under the said Act ;
(v) any service in connection with any Government Company in which not less than fifty-one per cent paid-up-share capital is held by the State Government, or any other statutory body (by whatever name called) established or constituted by or under any Uttar Pradesh Act ;
(vi) any other service connected with matters with respect to which State Legislature has power to make laws and which the State Government being of opinion that strikes therein would prejudicially affect the maintenance of any public utility service, the public safety or the maintenance of supplies and services necessary for the life of the community or would result in the infliction of great hardship on the community, may by notification declare to be essential service for the purpose of the Act.]
(b) "strike" means any cessation of work (including any unauthorized absence from duty) 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.