The Punjab government has called a meeting on November 22 for talks with the protesting employees and farmers. This meeting will be conducted by a cabinet sub-committee which will be headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
The farmers had announced on November 11 itself that they would march to Chandigarh again on November 26 for their pending demands. Bharatiya Kisan Union (Pakkhowal) along with 32 organizations had announced to reach Chandigarh with 300 tractor-trolleys.
Union state president Harinder Singh Lakhowal and patron Avtar Singh Mehlon had said after the meeting in Ludhiana that they would siege Chandigarh for three days. Within 48 hours of this announcement, the government has agreed to talk to the farmers.
The cabinet sub-committee has called all the unions on the same day, but the meeting time has been kept different for all. This meeting will be held at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh. The Punjab government has taken this decision after a meeting with the coordination committee.
First of all, the Cabinet Sub Committee will hold a meeting with CPF Employees Union Punjab at 11 am. After this, only 15 minutes time will be given to Democratic Forest Employees Union Punjab at 11.30 am and Office Employees Union Punjab at 12 noon. After this, there will be a meeting of Computer Teachers Union Punjab at 12.15 pm. Then a meeting has been called with farmer organizations. There will be a meeting of the Cabinet Sub Committee with Bharatiya Kisan Union Dallewal at 12.30 pm.
Office Employees Union Punjab demanded that superintendents should be promoted, senior assistants should be promoted, new recruitments should be made in DC office as per rules, office employees should be exempted from toll plazas.
Democratic Forest Employees Union Punjab demands that the raw, contract and daily wage laborers of Punjab should be assured. As per the decision of the 15th International Labor Conference, 30 days should be counted instead of 26 days per month in the seniority list. Retirement age should be increased to 60 years.
CPF Employees Union Punjab demands that the old pension scheme be restored. Gratuity, ex-gratia amount, family pension, medical allowance, medical claim facility should be provided. Those who have served 40 years should be entitled to pension.
The main demands of Computer Teachers Union Punjab are regarding salary, pension and transfer. These should be resolved on priority basis.
Bharatiya Kisan Union Dallewal demands that farmers should be given minimum support price (MSP) on all crops. Compensation should be given for the damaged paddy crop. The government should manage the stubble.
