Punjab government offices empty as employees strike over pending DA, pension revision | Watch the video | Today’s news
Punjab government employees across the state have called for a two-day protest against the AAP-led state government over its alleged failure to fulfill their long-pending administrative and monetary demands. Organized under the banners of Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front and Punjab Joint Employees Platform, the strike attracted the participation of several state administration departments along with contract workers from Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS, PTI reported.
Public transport affected, Punjab offices empty during protests
The strike disrupted public transport and administrative services across the state on Wednesday, the news agency added.
A video of an empty government office has now surfaced online from Jalandhar. Watch here:
Rally in Hoshiarpur
In Hoshiarpur, the Sanjhi Talmel Committee held a district level protest rally in front of the district administrative complex. During the demonstration, allegedly striking employees rallied alongside pensioners.
The meeting was presided over by a joint presidium consisting of senior staff including Kulwarn Singh, Bahadur Singh and Onkar Singh.
Addressing the crowd, the leaders criticized the state government for ignoring the grievances of civil servants and warned of stronger agitation if dialogue was not initiated on the matter.
Why are Punjab government employees on strike? Know the requirements
The nationwide protest centers around several long-standing financial and political demands. It includes immediate restoration of Old Pension Scheme (OPS), release of pending installments of Child Care Allowance (DA) along with accrued arrears, revision of pensions and restoration of 37 canceled allowances.
The protesters also demanded regularization of mid-day meal for Anganwadi and ASHA workers and restoration of cashless health system.
They also demanded immediate withdrawal of notification dated July 17, 2020 on central pay scales for Punjab employees and notification dated January 15, 2015 attached to the three-year probationary period.
Allegations against the State Government
Meanwhile, the opposition has also come out strongly against the state government, PTI reported. Amidst this, the protesters alleged that the AAP dispensation was prioritizing political publicity over addressing the ongoing labor, farmer and labor issues in the state.
Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh, through a statement, reportedly said that the mass exodus of state government employees was indicative of a wider breach of trust. Singh is reported to have urged the AAP government to initiate talks to resolve the grievances. Singh also added that the people of Punjab were fed up with what he called empty promises, according to PTI.
