Punjab Government Employees Strike Over Pension and Pay Dues

Approximately 750,000 government employees and pensioners in Punjab launched a statewide strike on August 27 to demand the restoration of the Old Pension Scheme and the payment of pending dearness allowance dues. Led by the Sanjha Mulazam Manch Punjab and UT, the action paralyzed schools, colleges, revenue offices, and hospital outpatient departments, though emergency services remained operational.

Bhagwant Mann, the Chief Minister of Punjab, escalated tensions by cancelling a scheduled meeting with union representatives in Jalandhar. Mann later stated via social media that while the government is duty-bound to address the grievances, negotiations will only occur after the employees end their protest, asserting that "talks and protest cannot go together."

Union representatives responded by threatening an indefinite strike if the government does not initiate settlement talks. The agitation poses a significant political challenge for the ruling Aam Aadmi Party as the state approaches the 2027 Assembly elections.