Punjab government employees strike disrupts public services

A statewide strike by Punjab government employees has disrupted various public services, including outpatient departments (OPDs) at government hospitals. The protest, involving over 150 employee organisations under the Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch, is centered on several long-standing demands.

Key demands include the release of 18 per cent in pending Dearness Allowance (DA) instalments and arrears, the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), the regularisation of contractual workers, and the restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme. Other grievances involve minimum wages for mid-day meal, ASHA, and Anganwadi workers.

The strike has caused significant inconvenience to the public, leading the Punjab government to direct administrative secretaries and department heads to compile lists of employees absent without authorisation. The Department of Personnel stated that necessary action will be taken against such employees in accordance with service rules.

The situation has triggered a political standoff. The opposition Congress has criticised Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s approach as “autocratic,” while the Chief Minister has maintained that dialogue will only resume once the strike is called off. While emergency medical services remain operational, many administrative offices, including the Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, have faced shutdowns.