Despite Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) employee unions announcing the withdrawal of their agitation, widespread power disruptions persist in several parts of Punjab, impacting crucial agricultural activities and daily life for millions.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that farmers in regions including Barnala and Nabha have reported ongoing, unaddressed electricity faults. This situation is particularly critical during the ongoing paddy transplantation season, a vital period for agricultural output in the state.
Call for End to Strike
Aman Arora, Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) president and a Cabinet Minister, made a public appeal on Sunday urging the striking PSPCL employees to immediately cease their industrial action. He emphasized the severe hardship being experienced by farmers during the peak paddy transplantation season and the disruption of essential services for an estimated three crore residents across Punjab.
Arora reiterated the Punjab government’s openness to dialogue, stating that a high-level committee, formed approximately 20 to 25 days prior at the unions’ request, is actively deliberating on their pending demands. He assured that any genuine recommendations from this committee would be considered for acceptance by the government.
Government’s Stance on Demands
Addressing reporters in Sangrur, Arora stated that resorting to strikes that cause public inconvenience and hardship to farmers cannot be justified. He reminded the employees that they, like the elected officials, are public servants, and he humbly appealed to all employee unions to refrain from causing inconvenience to the people of Punjab, especially the farming community during this critical agricultural period.
The PSPCL employees commenced their strike on July 21, leading to considerable inconvenience for the public at a time when the paddy transplantation season is at a crucial stage. Arora noted that some demands have already been met. For the remaining issues, he highlighted that the employee unions themselves had requested the formation of a special committee involving representation from both the government and the unions.
“I assure the employee unions that every genuine demand recommended by the committee will be accepted by the government. If there are issues, they are with the government, and the government is already considering them positively. Innocent citizens should not be made to suffer in any manner,” he added, underscoring the government’s commitment to a resolution.
High-Level Monitoring
Minister Arora further disclosed that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann is personally overseeing the situation. Additionally, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO are in continuous communication with the employee unions to facilitate a resolution through dialogue. The Punjab government has maintained a consistent position, expressing willingness to listen to every genuine concern raised by employee unions or individual employees and is committed to finding appropriate solutions.
Employees have been welcomed to meet with the Chief Minister or any minister at their convenience to present their case. The government has pledged that any demand deemed to be in the interest of employees, Punjab, and its people will receive due consideration. Arora concluded his appeal by folding his hands and urging his colleagues in the Power Corporation to withdraw the strike and restore normal electricity services, noting that approximately 90 percent of the workforce, around 18,500 personnel, were participating in the strike, affecting nearly three crore people.
He emphasized that neither the government nor the public can accept attempts to create pressure by disrupting essential public services or causing hardship to citizens, encouraging employees to present their demands to the government without hesitation.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
