Chandigarh: The standoff between the Punjab government and its employees appears to be easing after employee leaders agreed to withdraw their strike following a meeting with Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha on Wednesday.
The hour-long meeting was described as “positive” and “meaningful”. Soon after it ended, Joint Employees Front convenor Sukhchain Singh Khehra and other senior leaders formally announced the withdrawal of the protest.
Khehra said it was agreed during the meeting that officials of the Punjab Police intelligence wing would soon hold a meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The development came after the employees had decided to continue their pen-down strike until September 11. The agitation had begun affecting the functioning of government offices, while the prolonged standoff had also put pressure on the state government.
As part of the discussions, the chief secretary agreed to withdraw letters issued against protesting employees, including show-cause notices and the order related to the “no work, no pay” policy issued on Tuesday.
Khehra said the decision to withdraw the government orders was conveyed during the meeting with the chief secretary. The talks mark the first meeting at the chief secretary level since the dispute escalated.
