Contract workers of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC raise slogans during a protest at a depot in Nawanshahr.
Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Intensify Protest Against State Government
Roopnagar–Nawanshahr:
Contract workers associated with Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC staged strong protests across Punjab, accusing the state government of ignoring their long-pending demands. Under the banner of the Punjab Roadways PUNBUS/PRTC Contract Workers Union, workers organized gate rallies at depots throughout the state, including a major demonstration at the local depot in Roopnagar.
During the protest, union leaders and workers strongly criticized the government, alleging deliberate delay tactics and a complete failure to fulfill promises made to contract employees. The agitation reflects growing anger among workers who claim they have been struggling for years without any concrete policy or resolution from successive governments.
Long-Standing Demands Still Unresolved
Union state president Resham Singh Gill said that contract employees have been fighting for job security for a long time, but every government has adopted a policy of postponement. He pointed out that despite the current government completing nearly four years in power, not a single contract worker has been regularized so far.
Gill further stated that the union has held nearly 60 meetings with government officials and has also met the Chief Minister of Punjab two to three times. During one such meeting, the Chief Minister had assured that the workers’ demands would be resolved within a month, and even provided a written assurance. However, more than one and a half years have passed since then, and no concrete steps have been taken.
No Policy for Regularization or Outsourcing
According to union leaders, the government has neither formulated a policy to regularize contractual employees nor introduced a clear framework for outsourcing workers on contracts. Instead of resolving their issues, protestors allege that the government has targeted agitating workers by registering what they termed as “false cases,” including serious charges under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, leading to arrests and imprisonment.
The union described this approach as oppressive and undemocratic, stating that workers demanding their rights are being criminalized rather than heard.
Allegations of Privatization and Financial Neglect
A major concern raised during the protest was the alleged privatization of the transport department. Union leaders claimed that private operators’ buses are being increasingly deployed, while the number of government-run buses is steadily decreasing. They argued that this policy is weakening public transport services and pushing the department toward decline.
The union also highlighted that nearly ₹1,200 crore related to free travel facilities remains unpaid by the government to PUNBUS and PRTC. According to the workers, this unpaid amount has severely affected the financial health of the transport corporations. They alleged that the government is intentionally neglecting the department, possibly with the aim of dismantling it.
Warning of Intensified Agitation
Contract workers warned that if the government continues to ignore their demands, the protest movement will be intensified in the coming days. Union leaders said the struggle would remain peaceful but firm, and responsibility for any disruption in transport services would lie solely with the government.
They urged the state administration to immediately engage in meaningful dialogue, implement a clear regularization policy, release pending dues, and stop what they described as the systematic privatization of public transport.
Conclusion
The protests by Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS, and PRTC contract workers highlight deep-rooted dissatisfaction within the state’s transport workforce. With allegations ranging from broken promises and financial neglect to privatization and legal harassment, the issue poses a serious challenge for the Punjab government. As workers escalate their agitation, all eyes are now on whether the government will take concrete steps to resolve the crisis or allow tensions to rise further.
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