Forest dept staff protest, burn effigy of Punjab Government

Forest department staff in Abohar staged a protest today, burning an effigy of the Punjab government to express their anger over the non-payment of salaries for the past two months.

The protest, organised by the Democratic Forest Employees Union Punjab, took place at the Forest Range Office premises.

Ram Kumar, the union’s range head, and Bhagirath, the general secretary, criticised the AAP-led Punjab government, calling it a “dramatist government” that makes grand promises but fails to deliver. They recalled a recent meeting during which the minister assured that salaries would be credited to employees’ accounts by the 7th of each month. However, no payments have been made.

The protesters said that local officials had not paid sufficient attention to their demands and had not taken steps to ensure salary disbursement.

The union representatives warned that if salaries are not released soon, they will escalate their protests. On January 13, they plan to hold another demonstration in front of the Wildlife Protection Office, and on January 25, a large rally will be organised in the village of Punjab’s Forest Minister at Kataruchak.