Lakhs of Punjab Authorities staff proceeded on mass informal depart on Thursday to press for the pending dearness allowance, the Previous Pension Scheme and different service issues. In response, the Bhagwant Mann authorities determined to behave powerful.
In an electorally charged ambiance, with the elections to the state Meeting due in just a few months and Opposition events placing their weight behind staff, Chief Minister Mann remained adamant on his stand — “No talks until the strike is named off”.
Although 16 union leaders reached Jalandhar for holding talks, whilst huge protests continued outdoors authorities workplaces throughout the state, the Chief Minister made his intentions clear that he wouldn’t maintain talks as a result of the workers had already proceeded with the protest.
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Sources within the authorities informed The Tribune that the federal government had conveyed to the union leaders on Wednesday that they need to not go forward with the protest in the event that they needed to resolve their points.
The refusal of the Chief Minister to carry talks additional agitated the protesting staff. The protests on the fundamental Secretariat right here and in different cities grew aggressive. The protesting unions have now introduced to burn effigies of the Chief Minister throughout the state on Friday and Saturday. They’ll maintain a gathering in Ludhiana on Sunday to determine on their subsequent plan of action.
As almost 4 lakh authorities staff and three.50 lakh pensioners took half within the “maha hartal”, the federal government determined to crack down on the protest by late afternoon.
Mirroring its powerful stance in opposition to the tehsildar and PCS protests in 2023, the federal government on Thursday directed all administrative secretaries and heads of departments to submit lists of staff who remained absent from obligation with out authorisation.
“We aren’t afraid of the federal government…we’re ready to confront it,” mentioned Sukhchain Khera, a outstanding union chief and convener of the Sanjha Mulazam Manch. “We’re prepared for any motion by the federal government. It’s our democratic proper to protest,” he mentioned.
In January 2023, PCS officers within the state had proceed on mass informal depart in solidarity with a colleague who was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau. Tehsildars had supplied them solidarity. IAS officers had proven sturdy resentment in opposition to the Vigilance Bureau’s motion in opposition to considered one of their colleagues.
Nevertheless, again then, the federal government, sturdy after the huge victory in 2022, had adopted a “return to work or face penalties” strategy. That point, it was only a handful of officers as in comparison with the 7.50 lakh staff and pensioners protesting in opposition to the federal government now.
Whereas pollsters really feel that this 7.50 lakh power of staff and pensioners turning in opposition to the ruling social gathering would translate right into a a lot larger chunk of voters — round 38 lakh — many prime functionaries mentioned the motion was obligatory to make sure easy functioning of the federal government.
The order, issued by the Division of Personnel on Thursday, is indicative of sturdy motion being contemplated in opposition to the workers. It mentioned the federal government had acquired complaints from numerous quarters that the general public was dealing with inconvenience as a result of officers weren’t attending workplace.
All administrative secretaries and division heads had been requested to arrange lists of such absent staff and submit these to the Division of Common Administration by the tip of the day on Thursday.
