Punjab government employees will observe a state-wide strike on August 27 to press for various demands, including the release of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) installments and the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme. According to employee unions, approximately three lakh employees will take mass leave to participate in the protest, while a large number of pensioners will also extend their support to the agitation.
Sukhchain Singh Khaira, a leader of the Punjab Sanjha Mulazim Manch, stated that government operations—ranging from the Secretariat down to the district level—will remain suspended on August 27.
In addition to staff from Deputy Commissioner, SDM, Tehsil, and revenue offices, employees from the transport, health, and education sectors (schools and colleges) will also join the protest. However, it has been stated that emergency services in health institutions will continue to operate.
What are the employees’ demands?
The employees’ key demands include the release of pending DA installments (totaling 18%) and arrears, the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, the regularization of contractual employees, and other service-related issues.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had also previously issued directives to the state government regarding the payment of pending DA. With the Raksha Bandhan public holiday falling on August 28—followed by the weekend (Saturday and Sunday)—regular government operations are likely to remain disrupted for several consecutive days. All work to be disrupted due to the strike.
August 28 is the Raksha Bandhan holiday, followed by the weekend holidays on Saturday and Sunday. Due to tomorrow’s strike, people visiting government offices for services such as property registrations, issuance of certificates, revenue matters, and other administrative tasks may face inconvenience.
