State workers extend strike deadline

The ongoing strike by the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, which began on November 8, has been extended until December 6. On Wednesday, protesting employees demonstrated outside the Civil Surgeon’s Office in Phase 6. The employees announced their decision to continue the strike until December 6. Yogesh Kumar, Devendra, Sukhvir Singh, Sandeep Kaur, Alok Gupta, and others present at the demonstration expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming that the government is not paying attention to the concerns of the employees.
They highlighted the disparity in treatment, stating that when Bhagwant Mann became Chief Minister, flowers were showered on him in the Secretariat. However, the current government is implementing a system of punishment, and promises made to employees two and a half years ago have not been fulfilled. In previous governments, DA was received twice, but this time, the festival bonuses for Diwali and Guru Parab have been meagre.
On December 9, the employees will gather at the VVIPs Chowk to hold a large demonstration. The ongoing strike is causing distress among the people, and the revenue is also suffering due to the strike. With 53 departments participating in the strike, the announcement has been made to continue the strike until December 6. Employees are demanding the implementation of the old pension scheme, DA, ACP scheme, sixth pay commission, and new recruitments, among other demands. The strike is affecting the work in the DC office, causing inconvenience to the people, and also resulting in financial losses for the revenue department as registrations are not taking place.”