Chandigarh: The Punjab government has directed all administrative secretaries and heads of departments to issue show-cause notices to employees who took mass casual leave on August 27, in one of the biggest protests by state government employees in recent years.
The employees will be asked to explain why disciplinary action should not be initiated against them for proceeding on “unauthorised leave” on August 27.
The latest directive comes as employee unions prepare to meet on Sunday to decide their next course of action. Union leaders have described the government’s move as an attempt to pressure employees and push them back to the negotiating table.
The order follows an earlier directive from the Personnel Department asking heads of departments to prepare lists of employees who had taken unauthorised leave on August 27.
Around 4 lakh employees joined protest
Around four lakh Punjab government employees had reportedly taken mass casual leave on August 27 to press the AAP government over their long-pending demands, including the release of 18% outstanding DA, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and resolution of other service-related issues.
The mass leave had been called by the Joint Action Committee of employees and pensioners along with various employee organisations.
Employee leaders have warned that disciplinary action could further escalate the confrontation rather than deter the protesters.
Sanjha Mulazim Manch convenor and senior employee leader Sukhchain Khaira said the government could not simultaneously indicate that it was willing to address employees’ demands while threatening them with action.
“We are not afraid of the government. We will continue to exercise our democratic right to protest,” Khaira said.
Employee unions are scheduled to meet on Sunday to decide their next strategy, with the show-cause notices expected to be a key issue in the discussions.
