Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann directs PCS officers to return to work, declares their strike 'illegal'

CM Bhagwant Mann: Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann declared the strike of Punjab Civil Service (PCS) and revenue officers illegal on Wednesday, citing the arrest of an officer in Ludhiana for accepting a bribe. In his notice, Mann directed chief secretary VK Janjua to suspend all officers who do not join duty by 2pm on Wednesday.

CM Bhagwant Mann directs VK Januja to suspend officers marked absent

“It has been brought to my notice that some officers are not attending duty in the garb of some strike. They are protesting against strong action taken by the government against corrupt officers. The government has zero tolerance to corruption and such a strike amounts to blackmailing and arm-twisting. It cannot be tolerated by any responsible government,” the orders read.

He added that the period of absence of those who did not join duty by 2pm on Wednesday should be treated as “dies non”.

Appeals to return to work have been ignored

On Monday, a PCS Officers' Association member took a five-day unpaid leave to protest the arrest of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) secretary in Ludhiana, Narinder Singh Dhaliwal, by the vigilance bureau, claiming that the law's procedure was not followed. They are also demanding immediate action against the VB officials who allegedly "framed" PCS officer Tarsem Chand in a false case, as well as a proper standard operating procedure (SOP) in matters of investigations and FIR registration.

Also read: Milk producers should get dairy training : Laljit Singh Bhullar