Gate Rally Held at Jalandhar Depot, Contract Workers Seek Regularisation

The Punjab Roadways and PRTC Contract Workers Union has launched a protest campaign against the state government over its pending demands. On Monday, employees organized a large-scale “gate rally” at the Jalandhar depot to voice their concerns. The primary objective of the protest was to demand the cancellation of tenders being issued under the ‘Kilometer Scheme’ and the regularisation of services of contract employees. Union leaders stated that if their demands are not addressed promptly, the agitation could intensify and take a more aggressive turn. Addressing the gathering, union representatives expressed concerns that the government’s ‘Kilometer Scheme’ poses a threat to both the department and its workforce. Under this scheme, private contractors would be allowed to operate buses, while roadways employees would be limited to working as conductors. The workers argued that this move represents a significant step towards the privatization of the transport sector. They claimed that it could lead to losses for the state exchequer and reduce future employment opportunities. Despite several rounds of meetings with the administration on this issue, no concrete solution has been reached so far, leading to widespread resentment among employees. Another key demand raised by the protesting workers relates to the ‘Special Cadre Policy 2023’. The union asserted that employees working on a contractual or outsourced basis should be protected under this policy. During the protest, workers also reiterated their demand for the early regularisation of those who have been serving for several years.