Protest by pensioners hits traffic in Patiala

A large number of electricity pensioners from across Punjab staged a protest outside the head office of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) on Mall Road, Patiala, on Friday.

The protest led to a heavy traffic congestion in several parts of the city as Mall Road remained closed. The demonstration was held under the banner of the Pensioners’ Association of Punjab State Power and Transmission Corporation Ltd, led by state president Avinash Chander Sharma.

State general secretary Dhanwant Singh Bhattal said the protest was organised to oppose the sale of PSPCL land by the state government, the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill 2025 and the alleged inaction over long-pending demands of pensioners.

They also voiced opposition to the Centre’s move to abolish the Panjab University Syndicate and reduce the number of Senate strength from 91 to 31, and convert both into nominated bodies under Section 72 of the Punjab Reorganisation Act.

The association alleged that despite multiple rounds of talks, the government has failed to address these demands, forcing pensioners to hold protest.

The leaders said the state’s treasury “appears empty only for pensioners”, while funds are available for other purposes. They warned that if their demands remain unmet, the agitation would be intensified.

Among those who addressed the protest were Rakesh Sharma, senior vice-president; Dev Raj, Kuldeep Singh Khanna, Mukhtiar Singh Muhawa, Amarjeet Singh Sidhu, Jaswant Singh and Gurpreet Singh, who criticised what they termed “anti-pensioner policies” of both the state and Central Governments.

Traffic disruption

Long traffic jams were reported on routes connecting Sheranwala Gate to Adalat Bazaar and Chhoti Baradari to TV Hospital Road, among others. City residents faced inconvenience as vehicles were diverted to alternative routes, resulting in crowding in the internal roads.