PANBUS, PRTC CONTRACT WORKERS’ STRIKE DISRUPTS BUS SERVICES IN FEROZEPUR

Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur

Bus services were hit in this border district today as members of the Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union observed a strike in protest against the alleged delay in implementing a government-approved salary hike.

As many as 97 buses remained off the roads in the district, causing inconvenience to passengers and resulting in financial losses to the transport department.

Addressing the protesters, Resham Singh Gill State President of the union said the Punjab Government had approved a 15 per cent increase in the salaries of PUNBUS contract employees nearly two months ago and had issued the necessary orders. However, they alleged that the department had failed to implement the decision and workers were still receiving wages below the prescribed DC rates.

The union warned that if their demands were not met at the earliest, they would be forced to intensify their agitation in the coming days.

Meanwhile, the strike left many passengers stranded at bus stands. Soma Rani, one of the commuters complained of long waiting hours and disruption to their travel plans. The passengers urged the government to resolve the issue at the earliest to ensure the smooth operation of public transport services.