Punjab Roadways and PRTC employees have declared a statewide strike today. As a result, all major bus stands in Punjab, including Jalandhar, have been completely closed. Passengers have been facing significant inconvenience since morning.
Why the strike?
Today, the tender for new buses under the kilometer scheme was to be opened in Punjab. Employees have long opposed the inclusion of private buses in the PRTC fleet under this scheme. The union has protested and even staged strikes, which has led to the tender being postponed several times.
Police action before the tender opening
According to sources, late last night, police took action and detained several prominent union leaders, including Sultan Singh, Sehjpal Singh, and others. This police action sparked anger among the employees. Punjab Roadways and PRTC employees suddenly declared a strike this morning in protest against the arrests of the leaders. The union has clearly stated that no buses will operate today. The strike has caused significant disruption to commuters across all districts of Punjab. School and college students, office workers, and intercity commuters have been the most affected.
Government and Unions Face Off
Employees say the kilometer scheme promotes private companies and harms the government fleet. The government, however, attributes this to a need to reduce costs and increase bus services. The arrest of leaders has further exacerbated tensions between the two sides.
