Jalandhar: Employees of the Punjab roadways staged a protest rally at inter-state bus terminal Jalandhar on Monday. Punjab Roadways Jalandhar depot had to face the loss of Rs 8 lakh due to one-day token protest. The protest got a mixed response as 40 per cent of the Roadways buses of Jalandhar Depots were operational during the protest.
A day-long rally was organised on the call given by the Punjab Roadways PUNBUS Contract Workers Union (PRPCWU) in support of various long pending demands of workers. The employees of Punjab Roadways Jalandhar depot 1 and 2 took part in the protest and raised slogans against the policies of the state government and the management of the Punjab Roadways.
Speaking during the occasion, state vice-chairman of PRPCWU Narinder Pal Singh said that state government had failed to fulfil various demands of employees. Workers offering their services under the contractual system are being exploited and their services are not being regularised despite repeated demands.
“Ahead of the Assembly elections, Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had assured the contractual employees that their services will be regularised and more driver and conductors will be recruited in the department, but none of these demands has been met so far,” said Narinder Pal Singh
“During Shahkot by-poll Congress government promised to fulfil demands of the employees, but nothing has been done, “said general secretary of PRPCWU, Daljit Singh
“The bus stand remained fully operational all day, around 40 per cent Roadways buses of both the depots continued on their regular routes. The union members tried to shut down the bus stand in the morning but their attempt was foiled with the help of the police, “said General Manager, Punjab Roadways, Jalandhar, Parneet Singh Minhas
The commuters haven’t faced any hassle during the protest as private buses were fully functional and some of the Roadways buses were also plying on their regular routes.