Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, visited the Municipal Council Zira and participated in the protest demonstration by sanitation workers, extending his support to them. Randhawa assured the sanitation employees that their demands would be fulfilled once Congress forms the government in Punjab.
He said that the Old Pension Scheme would be restored. Randhawa also visited the office of the Executive Officer (EO) of the Municipal Council, where the officer was found absent. Former MLA Kulbir Singh Zira and MLA Barindermeet Singh Pahra were also present with him.
Randhawa stated that the Bhagwant Singh Mann government has failed to fulfill its promises, which is why every section of Punjab is unhappy with the government. Government employees are being forced to come out on the streets to press for their demands, including pending installments of dearness allowance and pay revisions.
Employees have staged protests during municipal corporation and municipal council elections. Sanitation services across Punjab are being badly affected. He said the government should immediately fulfill the demands of these employees.
He further said that before coming to power, Chief Minister Mann had claimed that no employee would remain temporary, but these workers are still being forced to work for less than ₹10,000 per month. He said it is not only difficult but nearly impossible to run a household with such low wages.
These employees should be given proper salaries so that they can support their families. He added that the demand for restoration of the Old Pension Scheme should also be fulfilled.
MP Randhawa said that due to the government’s wrong policies, employees and pensioners are being deprived of their legitimate rights. Warning the Bhagwant Mann government, he demanded that all pending dues of employees and pensioners be released immediately.
He also demanded that the dearness allowance amount should be paid in one installment rather than in parts, so that employees can get some relief. Randhawa also criticized the Bhagwant Mann government for taking a loan of ₹600 crore in the name of roads in Mohali.
He said the government has already pushed Punjab towards financial distress by continuously taking loans, and the burden of this debt ultimately falls on the common people. He added that Punjab’s debt has already crossed ₹4 lakh crore.