With several employee unions, notably the revenue officers who have vowed to go on a pen-down strike if their demands are not met, the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab appears to be headed for a clash.
The striking workers have been warned by Punjab’s chief minister Bhagwant Mann that they risk losing their jobs if they don’t use them, which will harass the populace.
“Enough is enough. You are receiving up to Rs 1.5 lakh per month as salary and still resort to striking every day. If the demands are legitimate, they should communicate them to us. They seem to believe that by announcing a pen-down strike, they can inconvenience the common people, which would reflect poorly on me. Why then can’t I tell them not to return after the pen-down strike is over? I challenge them to put their pens down,” Bhagwant Mann said.
Pen-down strike
After two revenue officials in Sangrur were charged with corruption, more than 2,000 revenue officers—including Patwaris and Revenue Kanungos—went on a pen-down strike on Friday.
The chief minister then started the hiring process for 2,037 open positions in the revenue division and required biometric attendance from the striking workers.
“We have numerous unemployed youths who are better educated than you and are willing to use that pen. Some may think I’m a newcomer, but I am well-informed and not inexperienced. I have keen insight, enabling me to identify those causing trouble for the people and where,” Mann stated.
Proxy employees
“Those threatening a pen-down strike have hired proxy employees, paying them Rs 10,000 while they work as real estate agents. Consider this an open warning. I stand with the people of Punjab, and I will not show leniency toward anyone who harasses the common people or embezzles government funds. Stringent action will be taken against them,” he added.
Mann stressed that people threatening a pen-down strike earn between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh per month in salaries but shamelessly engage in strike action.
“They argue that their colleague was arrested while accepting a bribe. I say God has bestowed upon you a pen; you should be grateful. Your pen should serve the livelihood of the common people. Do you intend to cause trouble for them with a pen-down strike? I have explicitly informed them that if they strike work, they may lose their pens permanently. The state government will be fully informed,” Mann highlighted.
Also Read: TCS onboards 44,000 freshers in FY23, honors all job offers
Keep watching our YouTube Channel ‘DNP INDIA’. Also, please subscribe and follow us on FACEBOOK
