Contractual employees of State AIDS Control Society to go on strike from January 4 in Punjab
All the staff employed on contract under the Punjab State AIDS Control Society, an organization within the Health Department, are distressed by the autocratic attitude of the department and the government’s indifferent approach towards their welfare. On January 4, they are planning to go on strike, affecting HIV AIDS services across Punjab. This decision includes withholding drugs, blood bank services, and confidential patient care.
Jasmail Singh Deol, President of the Punjab AIDS Control Employees Association (Health Department), expressed concern that while the Punjab government fails to fulfill promises to its employees regarding regularization, salary increments, and adequate breaks, departmental officials are issuing authoritarian directives, forcibly relocating employees under the guise of national guidelines.
The Association’s General Secretary, Gurjant Singh, highlighted that despite Additional Project Director Dr. Bobby Gulati’s assurance to review all demands during a meeting on December 20, the following day, all employee demands were unexpectedly rejected, citing unknown pressures.
President Jasmail Singh Deol stated that since IAS officer Karthik Adapa assumed departmental charge, decisions hostile to employees have proliferated, pushing the HIV AIDS program to extreme measures.
Mahinder Pal Singh, Principal Advisor from Patiala, remarked that even though the Health Minister pledged multiple times to address employee concerns, he remains powerless against this officer and cannot take any concrete action.
As a result, employee protests have intensified, compelling them across Punjab to commence an indefinite strike on January 4.