Linemen demand jobs, climb atop water tank

Patiala, February 18

Members of the Berozgar Linemen Union (Mann), Punjab, today climbed atop an overhead water tank at Ablowal village to protest against the delay in the hiring of linemen by the state government.  State president of the union, Balkor Singh Mann, and Hitesh Kumar Ferozpur, a member of the panel, climbed atop the water tank early this morning. They were accompanied by over 500 persons, who continued their protest at the site. 

Balkor Singh Mann said, “We had held a fast from October 22 to 26 after which the state government gave us a written assurance that they would recruit 3,500 linemen. Four months on, nothing has been done in this regard.” RP Pandove, Director, Administration, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited, and Kesar Singh, SP (City) met them. They were assured that the government would advertise the recruitment process within a month.  — TNS