Punjab Bus Services May Be Hit as PUNBUS-PRTC Workers Threaten Strike from November 16
Chandigarh: Bus commuters in Punjab may face inconvenience as contract employees of Punjab Roadways PUNBUS and PRTC have warned of a statewide strike from November 16 if their demands are not addressed. The union has also announced plans to gherao the residences of the Chief Minister and the Transport Minister. On Monday, members of the Punjab Roadways PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union held protests and raised slogans against the government outside depots across the state.
Addressing a rally at the Ropar depot, union state vice-president Bhagat Singh Bhagga said that employees had held around 65 to 70 meetings with the government, but no concrete decision had been taken on their demands despite repeated assurances.
Employees Seek Regularisation and Direct Contractual Appointment
The union is demanding regularisation of PUNBUS contractual employees who have been working for 11 to 12 years under service rules. It also wants outsourced employees to be brought directly under the department on a contractual basis under Act No. 10 dated August 14, 2026. Bhagga alleged that despite assurances and the issuance of offer letters to PRTC employees in Patiala on October 26, not a single employee had been brought on contract so far.
He further claimed that a meeting with the Transport Minister and Personnel Department officials on October 29 had ended with an assurance to resolve the demands within two days. A decision on service rules was also expected at the October 31 Cabinet meeting, but the union says no action has followed.
Key Demands of the Union
Bring outsourced employees directly under the department on a contractual basis under the August 14, 2026 Act.
Regularise long-serving PUNBUS contractual employees under service rules.
Include newly recruited employees and those left outside the Act.
Withdraw police cases registered against employees during protests.
Do not treat departmental cases as obstacles during police verification.
Reinstate employees removed from service under allegedly unfair conditions.
The union has warned that it will intensify its agitation if the government fails to address the demands. The proposed strike could affect bus services across Punjab.
