Breaking: Punjab employees announce intensified stir against Govt, mass casual leave from Sept 8
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 3, 2026: Tensions between the Punjab Government and employee and pensioner organisations have escalated over long-pending demands, with the Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front and Sanjha Mulazim Manch announcing an intensified statewide agitation from September 8.
The organisations said the decision was taken over the government’s alleged failure to address their demands, its reluctance to hold talks and alleged action against employees involved in protests.
Employee leaders warned that if the government fails to find a concrete solution through dialogue by September 7, they will launch a series of protests, demonstrations, gheraos and strikes across the state.
Mass Casual Leave on September 8
As part of the announced programme, ministerial employees across Punjab will observe Mass Casual Leave on September 8 and completely boycott official work for the day.
The programme will include employees of the Punjab Secretariat in Chandigarh and various departmental directorates, besides district-level protest rallies against the government.
Ministers’ Residences to Be Gheraoed
On September 12, protests will be held outside the residences of Cabinet Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO in Amritsar, Deputy Speaker Jai Krishan Rouri in Garhshankar, Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh in Patiala and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan in Faridkot/Sandhwan.
On September 13, employee organisations will gherao the residences of Lal Chand Kataruchak in Pathankot, Harjot Singh Bains in Sri Anandpur Sahib and Aman Arora in Sunam.
On September 19 and 20, district-level protests and gheraos will be held outside the residences of the remaining ministers and MLAs.
Statewide Mega Rally in Sangrur on October 10
The organisations have also announced a special “Employees’ Session” in Chandigarh on September 30, to which Punjab MLAs and MPs will be invited to discuss the issues facing government employees and pensioners.
A statewide “Maha Rally” will be held in Sangrur on October 10, the home district of the Chief Minister. The organisations said thousands of employees and pensioners from across Punjab are expected to participate.
The agitation will intensify further on October 21 and 22, when government employees will observe two-day Mass Casual Leave, bringing official work to a halt and holding large-scale district-level protests.
Employees Seek Release of Pending DA Arrears
Among their key demands, the employee organisations have sought the immediate release of pending instalments of Dearness Allowance (DA) in accordance with the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision and directions.
They have also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the threatening and punitive letters issued against employees who observed Mass Casual Leave on August 27.
The organisations have called for bilateral talks with the government on their charter of demands and urged authorities to resolve all outstanding issues without further delay.
Employee leaders appealed to government employees and pensioners across Punjab to remain prepared to participate in the announced agitation and make the campaign successful.