Punjab Govt faced with series of protests; work hit

Ruchika M Khanna

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 7

With Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi looking to reach out to the targeted vote bank ahead of the Assembly elections, his government is faced with a series of protests from various sections to get their demands accepted.

From contract employees to healthcare workers, including nurses and ASHA workers; ETT teachers to patwaris and kanungos; roadways staff to employees in deputy commissioner’s offices; and regular employees to farm labourers, all are flexing their muscle.

As a result, the state is hearing the din even before the poll bugle has been sounded by the Election Commission. Various sections of these voters have taken to the roads, disrupting normal life.

While the strike by the roadways contract employees led to disruption in public transport services, the strike by revenue officers is hampering regular works linked to registration of sale deed, attestation of certificate, issuance of fard, etc.

Sudhir Chadha, who has to fly abroad to be with her family, says she is desperately trying to get a sale deed registered before she leaves and has been frequenting the tehsildar office in Dera Bassi, but to no avail due to the strike. Similarly, people are suffering as the healthcare services have come to a near standstill because of the strike by the National Rural Health Mission workers.

On the other hand, protesting employees say they have no choice but to stirke, as the government in power first promises to fulfil their demands, but backtracks later. Both Sukhchain Khehra, convener, Sanjha Mulazam Manch, and Dr Inderjeet Singh Rana of the NHRM Employees Association accuse the government of first agreeing to their demands, but later issuing notifications accepting only a part of these.

Hussan Lal, Principal Secretary to CM, said: “All issues with various unions are on the discussion table and these will be sorted out soon. Discussions are being held with the protesters at different levels — with ministers, officers, and sometimes with the CM. The government is trying to fulfil all genuine demands.”

PRTC employees go on indefinite strike

Bathinda: Employees of the PRTC, Punjab Roadways and Punbus have started an indefinite strike at the bus stand to get contract employees regularised. A majority of PRTC buses remained off road on Tuesday.

NHM staff demand regularisation

Ropar: A large number of National Health Mission (NHM) workers on Tuesday blocked the Chandigarh-Nawanshahr road, demanding regularisation. The NHM employees have been on strike since October 16.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.