Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called a meeting with leaders of employee organisations on Friday in an effort to resolve the ongoing dispute between the state government and its employees.
The meeting is scheduled for 11am at the chief minister’s official residence with representatives of the Joint Coordination Committee. The move has raised hopes of a possible breakthrough after a prolonged standoff over employees’ demands.
Punjab government employees have been protesting over pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears and other demands. As part of their planned agitation, employee organisations were preparing to intensify their protest by gheraoing the residences of cabinet ministers in the coming days.
According to government sources, the state administration is preparing a framework for discussions with the employee representatives and is seeking an amicable resolution to the issue.
Sources said that if Friday’s meeting results in an agreement, representatives of the government and employee organisations could jointly address a press conference to announce the outcome.
There is also speculation that the government could announce some form of financial relief or a ‘Diwali gift’ for employees during or after the meeting. However, no such announcement has been officially confirmed so far.
