Truck operators oppose power grid

Gagandeep Sharma

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, December 10

Truck operators today protested when Powercom officials came to initiate the work of installing a power grid on the land which was allotted to the truck union.

The state government disbanded the truck unions in the state and after issuing a notification under the Punjab Goods Carriages Act-2017, it had planned to vacant the land given to the truck unions.

Around 40 years ago, around 3,000 square metre of land was given on lease to the Bathinda truck union here. The state government has proposed to construct power grids on the land, which was allotted to truck unions.

As per the proposal, the Powercom wanted to start work here. The situation today got tensed when operators raised slogan against Powercom officials.

When the official erected some polls, truck operators opposed their move. After seeing it, the officials left their equipment at the site.

Later, operators met Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal at his residence.

They apprised Manpreet Badal of their problem. Thereafter, he called the Deputy Commissioner. Manpreet Badal told the operators that their matter would be heard on Monday. Operators said if anyone tried to take the possession of land forcefully, they would stage protests.

After getting assurance from the Finance Minister, operators were pacified.

Operators Manoj Joshi, Jagga Singh, Rashpal Singh, Preetpal Singh, Neela Singh and Gurmail Singh said the government had planned to construct a power grid. They said there is a temple and if a grid was installed, what was about the temple.