Ludhiana: A confrontation has intensified between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and its around 3 lakh government employees. The government has prepared a list of more than 2,500 employees who were absent from duty on August 27 to participate in a strike. According to government sources, the employees had no valid reason for their absence.

The government may now initiate disciplinary action against them under service rules, which could include suspension, forced leave or salary deductions. Meanwhile, employees have refused to back down and have launched a “digital strike” against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, urging people to unfollow him on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.

A meeting of the employees has also been scheduled for Sunday in Ludhiana, where their future course of action is expected to be decided.

Why Are Punjab Government Employees Protesting?

Around 3 lakh Punjab government employees are protesting over eight demands, including the release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA), restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and regularisation of contractual staff.

On August 27, employees went on a mass strike by taking collective leave. A meeting was subsequently arranged between employee representatives and the government. The meeting was initially scheduled at Punjab Bhawan in Chandigarh and was later shifted to the PAP Complex in Jalandhar.

However, an hour before the meeting, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann made it clear that talks would take place only after the strike was called off.

Employee leaders reached the PAP Complex, but the Chief Minister did not turn up for the meeting. An official told the leaders that the CM would come only after they released a video announcing the withdrawal of the strike.

The employees refused to accept the condition, following which the CM cancelled the meeting.

Government Prepares List of Absent Employees

Following the failed talks, the government issued a letter to the secretaries of all departments, directing them to submit details of employees who had remained absent from duty without a valid reason.

Based on the information received from various departments, the government has prepared a list of more than 2,500 employees and is considering disciplinary action under applicable service rules.

Employees Launch ‘Unfollow CM Mann’ Campaign

Employee unions have responded to the government’s tough stance with a social media campaign urging people to unfollow Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Tejinder Singh Nangal, an employee leader from Ludhiana, said, “We used to follow CM Bhagwant Mann, but he did not hold a meeting with us despite inviting us. That is why all employees are unfollowing him.”

Meanwhile, a meeting of the Joint Front of government employees has been convened in Ludhiana on Sunday. Employee leaders are expected to announce their future agitation during the meeting.

The leaders have maintained that they will not back down from their demands, even if the government invokes the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA).