3 days ago
Punjab government moves against employees absent during Maha Hartal
Punjab government employees took a day off to protest several long-standing demands.
The protest happened on August 27 and was called the Maha Hartal.
The government says workers who were absent without permission may face disciplinary action.
It has asked officials to send those workers show-cause notices.
Employee unions say the protest was announced beforehand, so the absences should not be treated as unauthorized.
They are also angry because a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was cancelled.
The unions have asked the Governor to examine the costs and responsibility linked to that cancelled meeting.
More than 150 employee and pensioner groups will meet in Ludhiana to decide their next step.
Their demands include pending DA payments, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and regularisation of contractual workers.
The Punjab government ordered disciplinary action against employees absent without authorization on August 27.
Officials were directed to collect absence records and issue show-cause notices under applicable service rules.
More than three lakh employees took mass casual leave, supported by over 3.5 lakh pensioners.
Unions were protesting for pending Dearness Allowance instalments, the Old Pension Scheme and other service demands.
Employee organizations will meet in Ludhiana to decide whether to intensify their agitation.
- Who
- The Punjab government, more than three lakh employees, over 3.5 lakh pensioners, and employee and pensioner organizations including the Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch.
- What
- The government ordered action against employees absent during the August 27 Maha Hartal, while unions considered escalating their protest.
- Where
- The protest involved Punjab government employees; a cancelled meeting was scheduled in Jalandhar, and employee organizations are meeting in Ludhiana.
- When
- The mass leave occurred on August 27; the union letter to the Governor was sent on August 28, with a further meeting scheduled for Sunday.
- Why
- Employees are seeking pending DA instalments, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, regularisation of contractual employees and other service-related demands.
Punjab government position
Employee organizations' position
Whether absences were unauthorized
Punjab government position
The government directed disciplinary authorities to identify employees absent without authorization and proceed under applicable service rules.
Employee organizations' position
Union leaders say the mass casual leave was announced in advance and that the government knew employees would participate.
Conditions for negotiations
Punjab government position
The government maintained that talks and a strike could not occur simultaneously and said discussions would take place only after the agitation was withdrawn.
Employee organizations' position
Employee representatives protested after the planned meeting with Bhagwant Mann was cancelled and continued pressing their demands.
Accountability for the cancelled meeting
Punjab government position
The article reports that the government cancelled the meeting but does not state that it accepted responsibility for related costs or arrangements.
Employee organizations' position
The Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch asked the Governor to consider deducting one day's salary from Bhagwant Mann and recovering meeting-related expenses, arguing that accountability should also apply to those responsible for the cancellation.
Key facts
- Mass leave participants
- More than three lakh government employees participated on August 27.
- Pensioner support
- Over 3.5 lakh pensioners supported the protest.
- Pending DA demand
- The employee bodies are seeking release of 18 per cent pending Dearness Allowance.
- Government action
- Administrative authorities were directed to issue show-cause notices for unauthorized absence.
- Cancelled meeting
- A scheduled meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and employee representatives in Jalandhar was cancelled on August 27.
- Next union meeting
- More than 150 employee and pensioner organizations are scheduled to meet in Ludhiana.
- Additional demands
- The unions are seeking restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, regularisation of contractual employees and other service benefits.
Quotes
Sukhchain Singh Khaira
Employee leader associated with the protesting organisations
“We will make the announcement tomorrow. Just wait and watch.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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