The standoff between the Punjab government and its employees escalated on Thursday after the Bhagwant Mann-led government directed departments to prepare lists of employees who remained absent from duty during the statewide ‘Maha Hartal’ and initiate appropriate action against them.
The government’s move drew a strong political reaction from Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of “taking revenge” on employees for participating in the strike. The SAD has extended its support to the protesting employees and warned that any alleged “high-handedness” by the government would be opposed.
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Thousands of government employees and pensioners participated in the statewide strike, pressing for several demands, including the release of pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears and implementation of the Old Pension Scheme.
The strike disrupted government services across several departments, while outpatient department (OPD) services at a number of hospitals were also affected.
The deadlock intensified further after Chief Minister Mann declined to meet the protesting employees while the strike was underway. A 16-member delegation of employees had reached the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex in Jalandhar to meet the chief minister.
However, Mann maintained that talks with the employees would be held only after they withdrew the strike, further widening the gap between the government and the protesting workforce.
