Employees of Punjab Roadways Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Punjab Roadways staged a protest outside the Bathinda bus stand, causing a traffic jam, in opposition to the Kilometer Scheme, demanding job security and an increase in wages.
The protest, which has been a daily occurrence, highlights the dissatisfaction of PRTC and Punjab Roadways contract workers with the government’s introduction of the Kilometer Scheme. They claim that the scheme jeopardizes their employment by introducing new buses, leaving them at risk.
The workers, who have not seen new recruitments or regularization of existing employees for an extended period, expressed frustration with the government’s unfulfilled promises made during the elections. The protesters brought the Bathinda bus stand to a standstill, emphasizing their demand for job security.
Kulwant Singh, a representative of the protesting PRTC employees, stated, “Our department is being privatized, and we oppose the Kilometer Scheme. The government is initiating the scheme again, which will hinder recruitments, leading to unemployment for many.”
In response to the demonstration, eight PRTC depots across Punjab have been shut down. However, as of now, no government official has engaged in talks with the protesters, fueling the continuation of the ongoing demonstration.
Kulwant Singh, a PRTC worker and protester, added, “We have not had any discussions with government officials yet, and our protest will persist until our concerns are addressed.”
