Bhagwant Mann: The Punjab government has resolved a sanitation workers’ strike centred in Barnala by doubling contractual staff salaries to ₹20,500 a month, following extended talks between state ministers and union representatives.
Salary Doubled In Stages
Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains announced the hike at a press conference in Chandigarh, noting that wages had already been raised from ₹10,500 to ₹14,000 before this latest approval, taking them to ₹20,500 per month. The revised pay brings contractual Safai Sewaks and Sewermen at par with regular employees during their probation period, effective from August 1, 2026.
Talks With Union Leaders
The breakthrough followed extensive deliberations involving Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Bains with Safai Sewak Union representatives, including Chandan Grewal of the Punjab Raj Safai Karamchari Commission and Vijay Danav of the Punjab Dalit Vikas Board. Following the discussions, the sanitation staff called off their strike.
SIT Formed Over Police Action
The strike had turned contentious after police action against protesting workers in Barnala sparked criticism, with DSP Satbir Singh Bains subsequently suspended. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has now been constituted to probe the Barnala incident. The National Commission for Safai Karamcharis also took suo motu cognisance of the episode and directed the state government to submit a factual report.
Political Fallout
The episode drew sharp political criticism. BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the Mann government of mishandling the situation and failing sanitation workers from the Valmiki community. Separately, Congress MPs protested outside Parliament demanding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation over the police action and unrelated allegations of a paper leak in the state.
With wages doubled and a regularisation policy for contractual workers after four years of service also announced, the government says it is addressing broader welfare demands, though the SIT probe into the Barnala police response remains ongoing.
