3 days ago
Punjab employees set deadline, expand protests over pending DA
Punjab government employees are unhappy because they say some payments and benefits are overdue.
They gave the government until September 7 to address their complaints.
The government issued notices to workers who missed work during an earlier protest.
The unions want those notices withdrawn.
If that does not happen, ministerial workers plan to take mass casual leave on September 8.
They also plan protests near ministers’ and lawmakers’ homes.
Bigger demonstrations are planned in Chandigarh and Sangrur.
The unions say they could hold another two-day strike in October if their demands remain unresolved.
Punjab government employees gave the Aam Aadmi Party government until September 7 to resolve pending demands, including unpaid Dearness Allowance.
The unions said ministerial staff would take mass casual leave on September 8 if show-cause notices were not withdrawn.
Further protests are planned outside ministers’ residences on September 12-13 and ruling-party MLAs’ residences on September 19-20.
The unions announced a mock Vidhan Sabha on September 30 and a Maha Rally in Sangrur on October 10.
Employee groups say six DA and Dearness Relief instalments, totaling 18%, have remained unpaid since January 2023.
- Who
- Punjab government employees, pensioners and their unions, along with the Punjab government and Aam Aadmi Party representatives.
- What
- The unions set a September 7 deadline and announced escalating protests over pending DA, DR and other service-related demands.
- Where
- The decisions were made in Ludhiana; planned protests include Chandigarh, Sangrur and locations across Punjab.
- When
- The deadline is September 7, with planned actions from September 8 through October 21-22.
- Why
- The unions seek payment of pending DA and DR instalments, withdrawal of show-cause notices and several other employment benefits.
Employee unions and opposition parties
Punjab government and Aam Aadmi Party position
Pending payments
Employee unions and opposition parties
Employee organisations say six DA and DR instalments, totaling 18%, remain unpaid and want the government to meet their demands.
Punjab government and Aam Aadmi Party position
The article reports that the government has not released the money despite the court-directed deadline, but it does not provide a detailed government response on the payment dispute.
Show-cause notices
Employee unions and opposition parties
The unions want notices issued to employees absent during the August 27 Maha Hartal withdrawn and say they will escalate protests if this does not happen.
Punjab government and Aam Aadmi Party position
The government directed administrative secretaries and department heads to issue notices to employees absent without authorisation; Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said talks and a strike could not occur simultaneously.
Handling the agitation
Employee unions and opposition parties
BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal leaders accused the government of betraying employees and urged engagement with employee organisations.
Punjab government and Aam Aadmi Party position
The government initiated disciplinary action over unauthorised absences, while the article does not report a broader government statement responding to the opposition’s criticism.
Key facts
- Deadline
- September 7, after which unions say they will intensify their agitation.
- Earlier protest
- More than three lakh government employees took mass casual leave during the August 27 Maha Hartal.
- Pensioner support
- More than 3.5 lakh pensioners reportedly supported the August 27 protest.
- Planned September 8 action
- Ministerial services staff across Punjab, including Civil Secretariat and 40 Chandigarh directorates, may take mass casual leave.
- DA and DR claim
- Employee organisations say six instalments totaling 18% have been unpaid since January 2023.
- Court order
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the state on August 3 to release up-to-date pending DA and DR instalments within 15 days.
- October action
- A two-day Maha Hartal is planned for October 21-22 if demands remain unresolved.
Quotes
Sukhchain Singh Khehra
Convenor of the Sanjha Mulazam Manch
“If the government does not withdraw these notices, the entire ministerial services staff across Punjab, including employees at the Civil Secretariat and 40 directorates in Chandigarh, will observe mass casual leave on September 8.”
indianexpress.com
“We gave them all the benefits and DAs during our tenure. We also implemented the Pay Commission. Once we are back in power, we will resolve all the problems faced by state employees.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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