Sangrur: Escalating their ongoing agitation against the Punjab govt, the Punjab Roadways , PUNBUS and PRTC Contract Workers Union has announced a large-scale demonstration on Nov 5 at Dana Mandi in Dirba—the assembly constituency of Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema .




Organised under the banner of the Theka Mulazam Sangharsh Morcha , depot committees across the state have been instructed to mobilise workers carrying union flags and black banners.




Union leader Harkesh Kumar Vicky clarified that buses will remain fully operational during the Dirba rally, ahead of the previously announced three-day statewide strike and road blockade ( chakka jam ) scheduled for Nov 16.




The union has set attendance targets for 30 bus depots across Punjab to mobilise around 1,000 workers. Targets include 50 employees from Bathinda and 40 each from Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, and Jalandhar depots.




The protest stems from alleged delays by the state govt in fulfilling past assurances. Key demands include the unconditional absorption of outsourced staff into the contractual framework, the total abolition of the contractor system, and the regularisation of contract workers under Civil Service Rules.




Additionally, the union is demanding the immediate withdrawal of police FIRs registered against protesting workers, the addition of new buses to the state fleet, an end to backdoor privatization, and a halt to overnight police raids on union leaders.