- विज्ञापन -
Barnala: Frustration among Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) employees has once again boiled over as they organized a protest on Saturday to demand the fulfillment of their longstanding issues.
The demonstration took the form of a ‘gate rally’ near the Barnala bus stand, where workers chanted slogans and warned of intensifying their protests if their demands were not addressed promptly.
Led by members of the PRTC Workers Union Azad, the protesters expressed their displeasure at the Punjab government’s inaction. They announced that if their grievances continue to be ignored, they will escalate their agitation into a larger, statewide movement.
Azad Jasmer Singh, President of the Contractor PRTC Workers Union Azad, pointed out that despite winning legal battles in both the High Court and Supreme Court, no workers have been reinstated so far.
“We have court victories, but not a single employee has been called back to work. The government keeps promising reinstatement, but nothing has happened,” he said.
He also criticized the delay in disbursing salaries.
“Earlier, unskilled workers received their wages by the 7th of each month. Now, salaries are paid in two installments, often only by the 25th. The government needs to clear its dues to PRTC so the organization can operate smoothly,” he added.
Singh further accused the government of allowing buses with illegal permits—especially in Patiala—to resume operations despite crackdowns.
“Our union worked to stop those illegal buses, but they’re back on the roads. If the government genuinely wants reforms, it must take firm action,” he stated.
Gurpreet Singh, President of Punbus and PRTC Workers Union 2511 in Chandigarh, emphasized the need for regularizing temporary staff, ending the contract-based system, and discontinuing the “kilometre scheme” buses.
“We fully support this protest. A three-day meeting is scheduled for May 20, 21, and 22. If no solution emerges, we will escalate the protest into a statewide struggle,” he warned.
He also demanded that contract workers with over 18 years of service be made permanent under PRTC’s rules and that new buses be introduced under government control, rather than private partnerships.
“Low-wage workers must receive their salaries on time—by the 7th of each month at the latest,” he emphasized.
Harbans Singh Bhola, State President of PRTC Workers Union Azad, expressed disappointment over what he called “empty promises” from the government.
“Despite repeated assurances from the Chief Minister and Transport Minister, nothing has changed. We once actively supported the AAP, even wearing their caps,” he said. “Now, we are unpaid, ignored, and left with broken promises.”
He criticized the unfair treatment of contractual workers, who do the same work with the same hours but are deprived of benefits like pensions and job security in case of accidents.
Rupinder Singh, Secretary of the PRTC Workers Union Azad, added, “We’re protesting not just for our salaries but to expose the government’s failure to deliver on promises. Everything remains on paper; we see no real progress. This demonstration is our message, and we won’t back down until our demands are fulfilled.”
