CHANDIGARH — Government employees and pensioners across Punjab are set to observe a statewide strike on August 27 to press the provincial administration to address several unresolved workplace grievances and welfare demands.
Sukhchain Singh Khehra, a leader of the Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch, stated that administrative operations will come to a complete standstill across key public institutions, including Deputy Commissioner offices, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) offices, the revenue department, and state transport divisions. In an effort to minimize disruption for the general public, organizers clarified that there will be no road blockades or highway closures, and commercial markets will operate normally throughout the day.
The core demands highlighted by the employee associations include the prompt release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) instalments, the complete implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), wage restructuring aligned with central government pay scales, and the withdrawal of mandatory three-year probation rules for newly recruited staff.
Union representatives have urged personnel across educational institutions, the power corporation, and local administrative offices to participate in the collective action. The organizers warned that failure by the state government to resolve these issues swiftly could trigger wider and prolonged agitations across Punjab in the coming weeks.