Over 300,000 state government employees and roadways workers walked out on Thursday, halting bus services across Punjab and paralyzing most government offices.
Chief Secretary KAP Sinha met with CM Bhagwant Mann at 4 p.m. after the unions demanded a meeting on the minutes released by the government. The two‑hour negotiation ended without a breakthrough, leaving the workers’ demands unresolved.
Sukhchain Singh Khaira, coordinator of the Joint Action Committee, said that the strike has stopped work in directorates and that a 39‑member delegation met officials but received no clear assurances. The workers are insisting on the release of pending dearness allowance instalments, restoration of the old pension scheme, regularisation of contractual staff, revision of pensions, and implementation of a cashless health scheme.
The roadways strike has taken bus commuters hostage, with thousands stranded at major junctions, while a pensioner in Ludhiana said he cannot travel to his village because buses are suspended.
The Aam Aadmi Party government now faces a test ahead of the 2027 assembly elections, as the next crucial meeting of the employee representatives will be held in Ludhiana on Oct. 25 to decide whether the strike continues.