Contractual workers employed by the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) and Punjab Roadways have called off their indefinite strike, bringing much-needed relief to commuters across Punjab. The strike ended on Tuesday afternoon following assurances from the state government to address key demands, including the release of detained protestors.
Strike Called Off After Government Assurances
The industrial action, which began on November 28, was primarily against the kilometre scheme tenders. Employees perceived this as a step towards privatisation of routes, which they feared would threaten their job security. The protest led to the detention of union leaders and the termination of over 20 workers, escalating tensions across the state.
Following successful negotiations, the government agreed to major demands. These include releasing all arrested employees, withdrawing cases filed in connection with the protests, and reinstating staff who were dismissed. Gurpreet Singh, vice-president of the PRTC Punbus contractual employees union, confirmed the development. "We ended the strike at around 12.30 pm and services started to resume, thus normalizing bus operations by evening," he stated.
Release of Detainees and Legal Process
Detained protestors in Patiala and Sangrur were released late on Tuesday evening. However, those arrested and sent to judicial custody under serious charges following incidents of violence and clashes in both districts were yet to be freed at the time of reporting.
Union leaders stated that the police assured them these arrested individuals would also be released within three to four days. This delay is attributed to the necessary legal procedures, including the cancellation of First Information Reports (FIRs). When contacted, SSP Patiala Varun Sharma confirmed that detained protestors were being released. The Station House Officer of Urban Estate revealed that around 50 protestors were detained in Patiala and all were in the process of being freed.
In Sangrur, authorities could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts. However, reports indicate that approximately 41 protestors were held. This group included 10 individuals arrested following violence at the Sangrur bus stand, with the remaining 31 detained.
Impact on Commuters and Future Course
The strike had severely disrupted public transport, paralysing the operations of more than 2,000 buses statewide. Passengers were left stranded for several days, with women relying on the state's free travel scheme being particularly affected. The resolution has brought significant relief to these daily commuters.
While Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar had held marathon meetings on November 30 to partially ease tensions, a full resolution was only achieved on Tuesday. Gurpreet Singh added that the union plans to monitor the government's follow-through. "We have been assured that those arrested will also be released in the coming week. We will hold a meeting on Thursday and decide the next course of action in case the government fails to meet our remaining demands," he said.
The conclusion of this standoff marks a critical moment for the state's transport sector and its large workforce of contractual employees, highlighting ongoing tensions around job security and working conditions in public sector undertakings.
