Punjab Govt Seeks List of Employees Absent from Duty Amid Mass Leave
Chandigarh, August 28: The Punjab government has asked administrative departments to prepare lists of employees who remained absent from duty during Thursday’s statewide Maha Hartal, escalating the standoff between the government and employee unions.
According to reports, the Personnel Department has directed administrative secretaries and heads of departments to submit details of employees who were absent from duty without authorisation. The move came after government offices and several public services were affected by the mass leave observed by employees across the state.
Employees’ Demands Behind the Strike
Government employees and pensioners observed the statewide protest over several pending demands, including the release of outstanding Dearness Allowance (DA) dues, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and regularization of contractual employees.
The mass absence affected routine government functioning at several locations. Reports indicated disruptions in government offices, healthcare facilities and other departments, while the impact varied across the state.
Government Seeks Details of Absentees
The Personnel Department has asked departments to provide information about employees who were not present at their workplaces without authorization.
The government said complaints had been received from different places about inconvenience caused to the public because officials and employees were unavailable during working hours. The absence details could pave the way for action under applicable service rules.
Standoff Deepens Between Govt and Employees
The latest development comes after a proposed meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and employee representatives in Jalandhar failed to take place.
Mann had maintained that talks and the strike could not continue simultaneously, indicating that employees would have to call off the agitation before negotiations could proceed.
The government's move to seek absence lists has drawn criticism from opposition parties, which have accused the Mann government of adopting a confrontational approach towards protesting employees.
Public Services Affected
The employees' protest disrupted government functioning in several parts of Punjab. Government schools reported staff shortages at some locations, while routine OPD services were also affected.
However, not all public services were affected equally. Transport services, including Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC, continued operating after transport unions decided not to join the strike.
The focus now shifts to whether the absence lists sought by the government will result in disciplinary action and whether the move will further intensify the confrontation with employee unions.
