Punjab Employees Protest Seeking Dearness Allowance, Police Use Water Cannon
Government employees and pensioners in Punjab held a large protest demanding the release of pending dearness allowance and the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme. Police used water cannons to disperse the crowd as they attempted to march toward the state assembly.
Why it matters
The protest highlights growing dissatisfaction among public sector workers regarding economic benefits and labor policies under the current state administration.
Scores of government employees and pensioners on Friday held a massive protest at Sector 39 here to press the Punjab government to accept their demands, including release of pending dearness allowance.Police had erected barricades to prevent protesters from moving towards the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.Chandigarh Police used a water cannon to disperse protesting employees after they tried to head towards the Punjab Assembly.The protesters were carrying flags of their unions.The protest was held under the banner of Sanjha Mulazam and Pensioners Front and Sanjha Mulazam Manch Punjab with over several employees' organisations taking part from several parts of the state.The protesting employees have been demanding release of pending 18 per cent DA, implementation of Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and regularization of contractual employees.Protesting employees said despite repeated assurance, the state government failed to address their demands.Meanwhile, opposition parties slammed the AAP government for not accepting their demands.Punjab Congress chief Amrinder…
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