Punjab Employees Stage Mass Strike Over Unpaid Allowances
Nearly four lakh employees and pensioners have joined the statewide ‘Maha Hartal’ demanding clearance of dearness allowance arrears worth Rs 15,000–20,161 crore.
The strike also demanded the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme, and regularisation of contractual staff. The action followed a Punjab and Haryana High Court order on August 3 directing the AAP government to release the dues within 15 days with 6% interest on default.
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The Harthal intensified after chief minister Bhagwant Mann called for ending the protest before talks. Opposition has slammed the government’s handling of finances amid chants and sit-ins across districts.
The protest are being held by more than 150 employees’ bodies under the banner of Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch. The scale of the planned agitation presents a significant political challenge for the AAP-led state government, with around 7.50 lakh employees and pensioners participating.
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The protest would be a major challenge to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 assembly elections in the state.
