Chandigarh (Gurpreet Singh): The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has ordered action against employees who remained absent from duty during the statewide strike on Thursday, signalling a hardening of its position amid the ongoing standoff with government employee organisations.
The Personnel Department has written to heads of departments seeking details of employees who were absent from duty on August 27. The lists have been sought by Thursday evening itself, with action proposed in accordance with applicable service rules.
Around 4 Lakh Employees Join Strike
Around four lakh employees reportedly participated in Thursday’s strike, with employees taking mass leave as part of the agitation.
The government’s latest move comes amid escalating tensions with employee organisations over their pending demands. Earlier in the day, a proposed meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and employee representatives did not take place.
Before the scheduled talks, Mann had appealed to employees to withdraw their strike, maintaining that an agitation and negotiations could not continue simultaneously.
Employee leaders, however, refused to call off the protest before their demands were addressed.
Departments Asked To Identify ‘Absent’ Employees
The Personnel Department has now asked departmental heads to prepare and submit details of employees who remained absent during the strike.
According to the directive, action against such employees will be taken under the relevant service rules.
The order could further intensify the confrontation between the Mann government and employee unions, particularly after the failure of Thursday’s proposed talks to break the deadlock.
Among the key issues raised by employee organisations are the release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) instalments and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.
