Hundreds of outsourced employees of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), including meter readers, intensified their agitation on Thursday by blocking the busy Mall Road and Sheranwala Gate Market road leading to the entry and exit gates of the utility’s headquarters in Patiala. The protest caused major traffic disruptions in the area.
Protesters Gherao PSPCL Headquarters
The outsourced employees have been protesting for over two weeks. On Thursday, the demonstrators gheraoed the main entrance of the PSPCL headquarters, preventing employees and officials from entering the premises for nearly an hour. The blockade was part of their ongoing efforts to press for their demands.
While one side of the road has remained occupied by protesters for the past fortnight, the additional blockade of the other road on Thursday exacerbated traffic congestion in the vicinity. Commuters faced significant delays as vehicles were diverted to alternative routes.
Demands for Regularisation and Pending Salaries
The agitating workers are demanding regularisation of their services, immediate release of pending salaries, and payment of other outstanding dues. Harvinder Sharma, president of the Outsourced Employees Union, stated that the protest would be intensified if the Punjab Government failed to address their demands.
According to Sharma, the employees have been waiting for months for their legitimate dues, and the lack of action from the authorities has forced them to take to the streets. He warned that the agitation would escalate in the coming days if no concrete steps were taken.
Impact on Traffic and Daily Life
The road blockade significantly affected traffic flow in the heart of Patiala. Mall Road and Sheranwala Gate Market are key thoroughfares, and the disruption caused inconvenience to local residents, shopkeepers, and office-goers. Police were deployed to manage the situation and ensure that the protest remained peaceful.
The PSPCL management has not yet issued an official statement regarding the protest. However, sources indicate that discussions are ongoing to resolve the issues. The outsourced employees remain firm in their stance, vowing to continue their agitation until their demands are met.
