Punjab Roadways Employees Call Off Agitation After Ministerial Meeting
Employees of Punjab Roadways and Punbus have officially ended their protest after successful negotiations with the state transport minister. The breakthrough came on Sunday during a crucial meeting held in Patti, located in the Tarn Taran district.
The protesting staff decided to call off their agitation following a consensus reached with Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. This development promises to restore normalcy to the state's public transport system.
Key Agreements Reached in Patti Meeting
After the productive meeting, Minister Bhullar announced several important decisions aimed at resolving the conflict. The suspended employees will be reinstated to their positions, addressing one of the primary grievances that sparked the protest.
Bhullar assured that the remaining legitimate demands put forward by the employees would be addressed promptly. The minister revealed a significant concession from the workers' unions, stating: "The employees' unions have agreed that they would not interfere in the purchasing of a new fleet of buses."
In a move to maintain discipline, the minister added an important clause: "If employees are found involved in any illegal activity at the depot level, then unions would not interfere without any valid reason."
Restoration of Services and Priority Directions
With the protest now concluded, government bus services have been fully restored across Punjab. Minister Bhullar confirmed the resumption of operations and issued specific instructions to ensure minimal disruption to the public.
The transport minister directed employees to prioritize bus services for school and college students, recognizing the importance of uninterrupted education transport. This directive aims to quickly normalize the situation for educational institutions that may have been affected by the transport disruption.
The resolution marks a significant step toward stabilizing Punjab's public transportation network while addressing the concerns of the roadways workforce.
