Chandigarh: Government employees and pensioners across Punjab have intensified preparations for a statewide shutdown on August 27 to press the state administration on long-pending financial and service-related demands. During a strategy meeting held in Ajnala, representatives from the Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front and affiliated platforms mobilized support to ensure widespread participation across departments.
Union leaders stated that despite pre-election commitments made by the government, critical issues affecting working staff and retirees remain unresolved. Key demands raised by the coordinating bodies include the immediate release of outstanding Dearness Allowance instalments and arrears, the full implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, the adoption of pay scales aligned with central government patterns, and the withdrawal of restrictive probation notifications for newly recruited personnel. Representatives also insisted that the administration comply with relevant High Court division bench directives concerning employee dues.
Public sector operations, including schools, colleges, power distribution utilities, tehsils, and sub-divisional administrative offices, are expected to see widespread disruption as employees proceed on mass leave. In Ajnala, staff plan to assemble near the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s office to stage a demonstration and outline subsequent phases of the protest campaign, reiterating that industrial action will continue until concrete solutions are implemented.
