Chandigarh: Punjab government employees and pensioners are preparing for a statewide protest and mass leave on August 27, intensifying their agitation over pending Dearness Allowance (DA) dues, pay commission arrears, pension-related issues and other long-pending demands.

Employee organisations have announced plans for a ‘Maha Bandh’ and mass leave across the state. Government employees, including teachers, ministerial staff, technical staff, Class IV employees, medical staff and transport employees, are expected to participate in the agitation.

18% DA arrears among key demands

The employees are demanding the release of 18 per cent pending DA instalments along with arrears. They are also seeking payment of pending pay commission arrears and implementation of other financial benefits.

The agitation comes after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Punjab government earlier this month to clear pending DA dues of employees and pensioners. The court order covers a large number of employees and pensioners and involves a substantial financial liability for the state government.

Employee leaders have alleged that the government has failed to fulfil its commitments despite repeated assurances and the court’s directions. They have warned that the August 27 action will go ahead unless their demands are addressed.

OPS restoration, staff regularisation also sought

The employee organisations have also demanded restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and regularisation of contractual and outsourced employees.

Other demands include implementation of minimum wages for workers such as mid-day meal, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme and restoration of several discontinued allowances. They are also seeking implementation of Punjab pay scales for employees recruited after July 17, 2020.

Schools, government offices may face disruption

The proposed mass leave could affect the functioning of government offices across Punjab. Government schools may also face disruption if teachers participate in large numbers, with reports indicating that classes could be cancelled or affected on August 27.

However, it would be inaccurate at this stage to say that all essential services will shut down. The impact will depend on the extent of participation by employees in different departments.

Employees stick to protest plan despite talks

The Punjab government has invited employee representatives for talks on August 27, but unions have maintained that the meeting will not automatically lead to withdrawal of their planned agitation. Employee organisations had already announced the mass leave programme before the government’s invitation.

The agitation has intensified in recent weeks. Government employees and pensioners held a major protest in Chandigarh earlier this month, with police using water cannons when protesters attempted to march towards the Punjab Assembly.

The issue remains significant for the Punjab government as employee organisations have indicated that they will continue their agitation until their broader charter of demands is addressed.

Note for your news channel: I recommend the headline “Punjab Employees Announce ‘Maha Bandh’ on August 27 Over DA, Pension and Other Demands” rather than “Essential Services May Be Hit,” because the latter is not firmly established by the current reports.