Punjab Bandh Evokes Widespread Response; Sanitation Workers Intensify Agitation
The Punjab bandh called by the Safai Sewak Union Punjab on Thursday witnessed a widespread response across the state, with the union claiming that markets and civic services remained affected in several major cities and towns as sanitation workers intensified their agitation over long-pending demands.
CHANDIGARH: The Punjab bandh called by the Safai Sewak Union Punjab on Thursday witnessed a widespread response across the state, with the union claiming that markets and civic services remained affected in several major cities and towns as sanitation workers intensified their agitation over long-pending demands.
According to the union, the bandh was observed in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Gurdaspur, Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Rupnagar, Nangal, Kharar, Mohali, Rajpura, Sirhind, Patiala, Ludhiana, Moga, Faridkot, Bathinda, Muktsar, Ferozepur, Sangrur, Barnala, Mansa, Fazilka, Dhuri, Kotkapura, Rampura Phul, Kartarpur, Phillaur, Nakodar, Shahkot, Phagwara, Mehatpur and Lohian Khas, besides several other towns.
Sanitation workers have been protesting for several days in more than 150 municipal corporations, municipal councils, nagar panchayats and municipal committees across Punjab. Their key demands include regularisation of services, abolition of the contractual employment system, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and an increase in the minimum monthly salary to ₹40,000. The ongoing strike has disrupted sanitation services in many urban areas.
The agitation gained momentum following an incident in Barnala, where sanitation workers alleged that police used excessive force while attempting to clear accumulated garbage during the strike. The union claimed that several workers, including women, sustained injuries in the police action, triggering protests across Punjab. It also received support from several farmers', labour and employees' organisations.
Addressing the media, Safai Sewak Union Punjab president Ashok Sarwan, general secretary Ramesh Gaichand and chief adviser Kuldeep Sharma termed the bandh a "historic success" and thanked farmers, agricultural labourers, trade unions, employees, traders and other sections of society for extending solidarity to the movement.
The union leaders reiterated that their agitation would continue until the government accepts their demands, including regularisation of sanitation and municipal workers, abolition of the contractual system, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, enhancement of the minimum salary to ₹40,000 per month and registration of criminal cases against Barnala DSP Satbir Bains and SHO Lakhwinder Singh over the alleged police action. They demanded that cases be registered under attempt to murder provisions as well as relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Criticising the state government's proposed wage hike, the union leaders described it as inadequate. They argued that if ₹20,000 per month is considered an adequate salary for sanitation workers, the same standard should apply to elected representatives instead of drawing salaries and allowances running into lakhs of rupees.
The bandh and protests received support from several organisations, including the Indian Federation of Trade Unions (IFTU), Rural Workers Union Punjab, Zamin Prapti Sangharsh Committee, Kirti Kisan Union, BKU (Ugrahan), Jamhoori Kisan Sabha, Democratic Employees Federation and the Punjab Subordinate Services Federation, whose members joined demonstrations at various places across the state.
Caption: Sanitation workers, municipal employees, agricultural labourers, farmers and members of supporting organisations staged demonstrations in several districts, including Faridkot and Kartarpur, during the statewide Punjab bandh.
What's Your Reaction?
Like
0
Dislike
0
Love
0
Funny
0
Angry
0
Sad
0
Wow
0
