Punjab Newsline | Patiala
The four-day strike by contractual employees of PRTC, PUNBUS and Punjab Roadways has come to an end following talks with Punjab Finance and Transport Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. With the employee unions withdrawing their protest, bus services have resumed across the state, bringing relief to thousands of commuters.
The strike had disrupted public transport services across Punjab, causing inconvenience to daily commuters, students and office-goers. The unions agreed to end the agitation after receiving written orders from the government regarding their demands.
On the fourth day of the strike, Cheema visited the PRTC headquarters in Patiala and held a detailed meeting with representatives of various employee unions. After the meeting, the minister said the discussions had been positive and that the government had reached an understanding with employees on their legitimate demands.
Appointment Letters Expected Next Week
Cheema assured the employees that the process of bringing them out of the outsourcing system and placing them directly under departmental contracts was progressing. He said the concerned employees were expected to receive their new appointment letters by next week.
The minister also announced that another high-level meeting would be held on October 29 to discuss other departmental rules and the employees' pending demands.
Police Cases Against Employees to Be Reviewed
Cheema further assured the unions that police cases registered against employees at various locations during the agitation would be reviewed. The government would consider providing appropriate legal relief in these cases, he said.
The assurances regarding contractual appointments and other pending issues helped pave the way for the withdrawal of the strike.
Commuters Get Relief as Bus Services Resume
Following the end of the strike, government bus services have resumed across Punjab, restoring normalcy at bus stands and on major routes. The resumption of services is expected to provide significant relief to passengers who faced difficulties travelling over the past four days.
The October 29 meeting is expected to provide a further platform for discussions between the government and employee unions on the remaining issues.
