The Joint Front of Rural and Agricultural Labour Organisations in Punjab will hold a massive state-level rally at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall in Jalandhar on August 5, followed by a march to the Chief Minister's residence. The protest aims to highlight the government's continued neglect of landless workers' legitimate demands, including permanent employment, repeal of the new VB G-Ram-G law, and increased pensions.
Union leaders outline grievances
A meeting of the State Working Committee of the Rural Labourers' Union was held at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall, Jalandhar, under the chairmanship of Comrade Darshan Nahar. State general secretary Gurnam Singh Daud briefed the meeting on the current political situation, alleging that the Central Government has accelerated policies of globalisation and privatisation, severely weakening the public sector. He claimed that inflation has made life difficult for poor and ordinary people, with sharp increases in petrol, diesel, and cooking gas prices worsening the situation. Unemployment has crossed all limits, he said.
MGNREGA replacement criticised
The leaders alleged that by replacing the MGNREGA Act with the new "VB G-Ram-G" law, the government has deprived labourers of their livelihoods. They stated that since the Aam Aadmi Party formed the government in Punjab, labour organisations have struggled for their demands without concrete results. Daud alleged that the Chief Minister invited labour representatives for meetings on five occasions, but even demands accepted by the Cabinet Sub-Committee have not been implemented, leading to widespread anger among workers.
Rally preparations and demands
Announcing the decisions, state finance secretary Shamsher Singh Batala and press secretary Baldev Nurpuri said the rally will begin at Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall and proceed to the CM's residence. The major demands include provision of permanent employment throughout the year for labourers, repeal of the new VB G-Ram-G law and restoration of the MGNREGA Act, with a daily wage of Rs 700 for every adult worker, and increase in widow, old-age, and disability pension to Rs 5,000 per month.
To prepare for the rally, meetings will be held across all districts, and village-level campaigns will be organised to mobilise workers. Labourers from across Punjab, along with their families, are expected to participate.
