6 days ago
Punjab Government Employees Strike as Mann Rejects Talks
Punjab government workers went on strike over eight demands, including concerns about dearness allowance.
Their organisations said more than seven lakh employees and pensioners joined.
Many offices and some hospital services were affected.
In Jalandhar, police stopped protesters from blocking a road.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said he would only negotiate after the strike ended.
The workers want their demands discussed before calling off the protest.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the government is still open to talks.
Some buses and schools continued working, so the entire state did not shut down.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann refused talks until employees withdraw their statewide strike.
Employee organisations said more than seven lakh employees and pensioners joined the protest.
Government offices, hospital outpatient departments and dispensaries faced disruptions across Punjab.
Police stopped protesting employees from blocking traffic in Jalandhar, leading to pushing and shoving.
Punjab Roadways, Punbus, PRTC services and government schools continued operating in several places.
- Who
- Punjab government employees and pensioners, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and the state government led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
- What
- Employees held a statewide strike over eight demands, while Mann refused negotiations until the protest was withdrawn.
- Where
- Across Punjab, with major confrontations and disruptions reported in Jalandhar, Mohali, Pathankot and Ludhiana.
- When
- Thursday; the government and employee representatives had also met on Wednesday.
- Why
- Employees are seeking action on eight demands, including issues related to dearness allowance; the government says the strike is inconveniencing the public.
Employee Organisations
Punjab Government
Order of negotiations
Employee Organisations
Employee leaders want the government to discuss their eight demands while the protest is continuing.
Punjab Government
Bhagwant Mann says a strike and negotiations cannot continue at the same time and wants the protest withdrawn first.
Impact on the public
Employee Organisations
Employees held a collective protest over long-pending workplace demands and stayed away from duty.
Punjab Government
Harpal Singh Cheema said employees should consider the hardship caused to ordinary people because public services are supported by taxpayers.
Transport participation
Employee Organisations
The Sanjha Mulazim Manch Punjab had announced that government-bus drivers and conductors would join the strike.
Punjab Government
After meeting Cheema, employee representatives decided against including bus services, citing Raksha Bandhan and possible inconvenience to passengers.
Key facts
- Reported participation
- Employee organisations said more than seven lakh government employees and pensioners participated.
- Demands
- The employees are pressing for eight demands, including issues relating to dearness allowance.
- Government position
- Bhagwant Mann said negotiations would begin only after employees ended the strike.
- Jalandhar incident
- Police stopped protesters who attempted to move toward the road and block traffic; pushing and shoving followed.
- Affected services
- Government offices, hospital outpatient departments and dispensaries were affected in different parts of Punjab.
- Transport status
- Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC services continued after drivers and conductors decided not to join the strike.
- Schools
- Government schools were functioning in several places.
Quotes
Harpal Singh Cheema
Punjab finance minister who discussed the strike with employee representatives
“Employees are for the welfare of Punjab’s people”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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