UPDATED: Oct 22, 2026 11:33 IST
Around three lakh Punjab government employees entered the second day of a mass casual leave protest, severely disrupting administrative services across the state. Demonstrators staged a dharna outside the Punjab Civil Secretariat in Chandigarh, leaving offices empty while the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session was underway nearby. The agitation has hit deputy commissioner offices, administrative departments, and transport services, including Punjab Roadways and PRTC, with temporary drivers, conductors, and mechanics joining the strike. The protesting staff are demanding the release of pending dearness allowance arrears as per High Court orders, the reinstatement of the old pension scheme, the regularisation of contractual employees, and a hike in probation salaries following inconclusive talks with the Chief Secretary.
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