Why Have Contractual Employees of Punjab's State-Run Buses Gone on Strike?
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Synopsis
Punjab's state-run bus services have been severely disrupted due to an indefinite strike by contractual employees. This protest aims at securing regularization and addressing long-standing grievances against the AAP government. The strike affects thousands of commuters across major cities, highlighting the urgent need for resolution.
Key Takeaways
- Contractual employees of Punjab's state-run buses have gone on an indefinite strike.
- The strike is in protest against the AAP government for not regularizing their jobs.
- Major cities affected include Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Patiala.
- Approximately 8,000 workers are participating in the protest.
- The situation highlights ongoing labor issues within the public transport sector.
Chandigarh, Aug 14 (NationPress) Commuters throughout Punjab experienced significant disruptions as the contractual workforce of the state-owned Punjab Roadways, Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), and Punbus initiated an indefinite strike on Thursday. This action was a protest against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, as employees demanded the regularization of their positions and the resolution of their longstanding grievances.
Protesters hindered the operation of buses from Punjab Roadways and Punbus across numerous towns and cities, with the most severely impacted areas being Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, and Moga.
About 8,000 employees from Punjab Roadways, PRTC, and Punbus participated in the strike, resulting in significant interruptions to bus services on both inter-state and intra-state routes, as reported by officials.
Harkesh Kumar, the senior vice-president of the PRTC, Punbus, and Punjab Roadways contract workers unions, stated that in addition to demands for scrapping tenders under the kilometer scheme for private players, the unions accused Transport Minister Laljit Bhullar of neglecting their requests.
Following meetings on Wednesday, the state government called for another round of discussions with union leaders on Thursday in an effort to resolve the situation. Protesters conducted demonstrations at 27 bus depots, voicing their dissent against the government.
Kumar even issued a warning to surround Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann during the state-level Independence Day celebration in Faridkot.
“Our demands are straightforward. We appeal to the government to regularize all contractual personnel and abolish the repressive guidelines,” he emphasized.
Government representative Jasdeep Singh Lalli noted that while PRTC operates 1,200 buses, Punjab Roadways manages around 1,600 buses, with no new additions to the PRTC fleet in the last four years.
He also mentioned that the government allocates funds for routes covering 5,000 km each month, despite the absence of bus services on these routes. Another union leader, Shamsher Singh, expressed concerns, stating, “The department has not credited our monthly salaries. How can we celebrate the festival without our payments? Although they claim funds have been released, nothing has reached our accounts.”
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the importance of addressing the concerns of contractual workers within the transport sector. Their demands for regularization and fair treatment are valid and highlight systemic issues within the state's labor policies. A balanced resolution is necessary for both the employees' welfare and the commuters' accessibility.
NationPress
20/08/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the reason behind the strike by Punjab's state-run bus employees?
The strike is primarily aimed at demanding the regularization of contractual employees and addressing long-standing grievances against the AAP government.
How many employees are involved in the strike?
Approximately 8,000 employees from Punjab Roadways, PRTC, and Punbus are participating in the strike.
Which cities are most affected by the bus service disruptions?
The major cities affected include Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Patiala, Amritsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, and Moga.
What are the union leaders demanding?
Union leaders are demanding the regularization of all contractual staff and the cancellation of repressive guidelines imposed by the government.
What has been the government's response to the strike?
The government has called for discussions with union leaders to address the situation, but tensions remain high among the protesting employees.
