Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has intervened in the Punjab government’s move to recruit 624 drivers and 641 conductors for PUNBUS through outsourcing, issuing a formal notice to the state authorities. The Punjab Roadways State Transport Workers Union filed a petition challenging the recruitment process, arguing that the government is bypassing regular employment norms despite thousands of sanctioned posts lying vacant. The court has directed the Punjab government to submit a detailed response regarding the legality and necessity of this outsourcing model by May 7, 2026.
The petitioner union alleges that the decision to hire through external agencies is a calculated move to reduce fiscal expenditure at the cost of workers’ rights. According to the union, outsourced drivers and conductors are expected to receive nearly half the salary of regular employees and will be denied essential service benefits such as pensions, medical insurance, and job security. The petition further contends that since these vacancies are permanent in nature within Punjab Roadways, they should be filled through a transparent, regular recruitment process rather than temporary, low-wage contracts.
The legal challenge emphasizes that outsourcing essential public transport roles compromises both the welfare of the staff and the long-term stability of the state’s transport infrastructure. The union has demanded the immediate cancellation of the current recruitment drive, urging the court to mandate regular appointments to ensure “equal pay for equal work.” As the May 7 deadline approaches, the state government must justify its reliance on outsourced labour in a department that remains a critical lifeline for millions of daily commuters across Punjab.
