Chandigarh: Punjab govt employees will observe a statewide “maha hartal” on Aug 27 to press for their demands, with public transport, hospital OPDs and revenue offices among services likely to be affected.Key demands include release of pending dearness allowance (DA), implementation of the old pension scheme, benefits on central govt lines and withdrawal of the three-year probation period for newly recruited employees.Sukhchain Singh Khaira, coordinator of the a committee representing the employees, said around 3 lakh govt employees, along with over 4 lakh pensioners and contractual workers, would participate in the protests. Rallies will be held at Sector 17 in Chandigarh and district headquarters, he added. “No office work will be done in govt offices in the secretariat and at the district level. However, no roads will be closed, no markets will shut,” he said.Employees of schools, colleges, SDM offices, tehsils, revenue offices and other departments will join the strike, he said. Farmers’ groups have also extended support.
