Ferozepur: To protest against the state govt’s decision to cut salaries, as many as 1,007 employees of the education department have have announced to hold a rally at Dirba on April 18. “We shall also leave our children at the residence of finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who had repeatedly assured us earlier that salaries won’t be cut,” said one employee.The Punjab cabinet had passed a resolution to cut salaries of 1,007 employees during a cabinet meeting held on Sept 8, which was notified on Sept 23, 2025. “But during a meeting with finance minister Harpal Cheema, we were assured that there would be no cuts. Despite his promise, the education department implemented the order on Feb 24, 2026. To protest against the move, we marched to the residence of the chief minister in Chandigarh, during which water cannons were used on us. Later, a meeting with the finance minister was fixed on Feb 27, but the minister’s office postponed it to March 5, and then to April 10. On April 10, when the employees went for the meeting, officials informed that it has been postponed again,” said a source.
