Punjab: Government Offices to Remain Affected for 5 Days as Employees Begin Pen-Down Strike

November 5, 2026

Pathankot: Work in government offices in Punjab is expected to be affected for the next few days. State employee unions have launched a protest against the government, announcing a two-day “pen-down and computer-down” strike on November 5th and 6th. This strike by employees may disrupt work in government offices.

This strike is being called by the state unit of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union across the state. Administrative work in government offices is expected to be affected for approximately five days due to the weekly holidays on Saturday and Sunday, and the Vishwakarma Day holiday.

The union says the Punjab government is not taking the long-pending demands of employees and pensioners seriously. In protest, the employees have decided to intensify their agitation.

Demands have been raised with the government for five years

Vishalveer Singh, district president of the Pathankot unit of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, stated that employee unions have been raising their demands with the government for the past five years.

He stated that during this period, demands were submitted to the government several times, memorandums were submitted, and problems were made known through meetings, but no concrete action was taken on the employees’ demands.

According to Vishalveer Singh, ministerial employees from all departments in Pathankot district will fully participate in this strike. Employees will register their protest by suspending work in their respective offices.

Several demands, including reinstatement of OPS and pending payment of DA

The union has placed several key demands concerning employees and pensioners before the government. The most important of these demands are:

– Cancellation of the July 17, 2020 letter: The union has demanded the immediate withdrawal of the government letter issued on July 17, 2020, which is being considered against the interests of employees.

– Restoration of Old Pension Scheme: The Old Pension Scheme (OPS) should be fully implemented for employees.
– Payment of pending DA installments: Pending dearness allowance (DA) installments should be released to employees immediately.
– 2.59 coefficient for pensioners: A coefficient of 2.59 should be implemented for pensioners.
– Regularization of temporary employees: Temporary and temporary employees working in various government departments should be made permanent.

‘Ministerial employees are the backbone of the administrative system’

Vishalveer Singh and other employee leaders stated that ministerial employees are the backbone of the government’s entire administrative system. They serve as a vital link between government departments and the general public.

Employee leaders stated that it is unfair to continue to ignore their legitimate demands. They warned the government that if a positive decision is not taken soon, the agitation will be intensified.

Impact on the general public: Following the strike on November 5th and 6th, work in government offices may be affected for approximately five days due to the weekend and Vishwakarma Day holiday. Consequently, people visiting offices for government services may face difficulties.