Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Minister Harpal Cheema holds extensive talks with employee unions to address service-related issues
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 31, 2025: Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, who also serves as the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee formed to address employee concerns, on Friday held detailed deliberations with 15 different employee organizations. These included seven unions from the Education Department, as well as representatives from the Water Supply and Health Departments, along with joint organizations such as the Theka Mulazam Sangharsh Morcha and the Purani Pension Bahal Sangharsh Committee.
The meeting, which lasted for nearly five hours, focused on identifying practical and time-bound solutions to long-pending service-related issues raised by various employee groups.
During the discussions, unions from the Education Department highlighted key concerns related to pay and seniority anomalies, regularization of services, and the timely conduct of the Punjab State Teachers Eligibility Test (PSTET).
Responding to these issues, Finance Minister Cheema directed the Education Department to refer cases related to pay and seniority discrepancies to the Anomaly Committee. He further instructed coordination with the offices of the Advocate General, the Department of Personnel, and the Finance Department to ensure early resolution of matters related to regularization and service benefits. Cheema also directed that the PSTET be conducted at the earliest possible date.
In meetings with organizations such as the Theka Mulazam Sangharsh Morcha, Gram Panchayat Jal Supply Pump Operators Association, Contract Multipurpose Health Worker Female Union, United Nurses Association of Punjab, and the Purani Pension Bahal Sangharsh Committee, the Finance Minister assured union representatives that the government is actively examining several of their demands sympathetically.
Cheema also instructed senior officials to immediately address issues that can be resolved at the departmental level without delay. He reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining an open dialogue with employee organizations to ensure fair and transparent decision-making.
Union representatives including Balihar Singh, Hakam Singh, and Jaspreet Singh from the Theka Mulazam Union; Jasvir Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, and Vikramjeet Singh from the Purani Pension Bahal Sangharsh Committee; and members from various education and health associations presented their respective demands and concerns during the meeting.ngs.