Will block national highway tomorrow, say Punjab employees

Our Correspondent

Khanna/Ahmedgarh, Jan 6

Office-bearers of a joint forum of contractual employees have decided to block Sher Shah Suri Marg (NH-1) on Saturday as the Chief Minister’s Office in Chandigarh has announced late this evening that the meeting of Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi with the Theka Mulazim Union will now be held on January 10 at 11 am, instead of January 7.

Earlier, the meeting with the Chief Minister was scheduled to be held on January 7.

The employees had planned to block the national highway if the Chief Minister fails to turn his assurances into notifications during their meeting.

Contrary to earlier actions of the forum to block the traffic at some places between Bija and Khanna, the protesters will organise overnight dharnas at various places on the highway in the state. Activists have been told to be ready for massive dharnas, along with members of their families, and come equipped with quilts, blankets and raincoats to protect themselves from adverse weather conditions during the protest.

President of the state body of the Theka Mulazim Sangharsh Morcha Varinder Singh Momi said a delegation of the morcha had again submitted a memorandum to remind the Chief Minister about his promises made with the union on Monday after which a two-day dharna at Bhattian village on the Ludhiana-Khanna stretch of the NH-1, was lifted temporarily.

The protesters were assured that contractual employees of Water Supply and Sewerage, PSPCL, Verka Milk Plant, MNREGA, Health and Family Welfare, Hydel Projects, PWD (electricity wing) and Grid departments and those working in boards and corporations and under Union Government schemes will be regularised after taking a decision in the meeting of the activists with the Chief Minister.

“Earlier, While asking us to lift dharna in public interest on Monday, the Chief Minister Office had assured us that a notification regarding all categories of contractual employees will be made by evening on Friday. Now, as the day of meeting has changed, we will block the highway as per our schedule,” said Varinder, adding that the government had also assured to accept their other related demands. Meanwhile, many residents and commuters have started rescheduling their journey plans on Saturday with an intention to avoid inconvenience in view of the ultimatum of the protesters.