Punjab state employees and pensioners stage two-day strike over unpaid allowances and pension reforms

Across Punjab, a coordinated two-day walkout by government employees and pensioners resulted in empty offices and disrupted bus services, reflecting frustration over long-standing financial demands. The action was mobilized by the Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front together with the Joint Employees Platform Punjab, drawing participation from various state departments and contract staff of Punjab Roadways and PUNBUS.

In Jalandhar, a video showed deserted government premises, while in Hoshiarpur a rally outside the District Administrative Complex was chaired by a joint praesidium featuring Kulwarn Singh, Bahadur Singh and Onkar Singh. The protesters sought immediate reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme, release of overdue dearness allowance installments, revision of pension calculations, and the revival of 37 discontinued allowances, as well as regularisation of mid-day meal, Anganwadi and ASHA workers and the cashless health scheme.

They also demanded withdrawal of specific 2020 and 2015 notifications affecting pay scales and probation periods. Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh condemned the AAP administration for prioritising political publicity over worker issues and called for talks to resolve the dispute.