Patiala/Chandigarh, January 19
Under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, with the leadership and special efforts of Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar and the dedicated endeavors of PRTC Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana, the salaries of 1148 employees, who have been working continuously for over a year, have been increased by ₹2500 along with an additional 10% hike.
It is noteworthy that a meeting between the PRTC Contract Workers union under the leadership of Ranjodh Singh Hadana held with Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. During the meeting, officials including Additional Chief Secretary (Transport) D.K. Tiwari, MD Bikramjit Singh Shergill, GM Maninderjit Singh Sidhu and other senior officials were present.
Speaking on the occasion, Transport Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar emphasized, “A nation progresses when its citizens are happy.” With this vision, the Punjab government is committed to introducing unique initiatives to enhance the quality of life for its employees. Bhullar stated that the salary increment proposal was presented during the Board of Directors meeting, where it is unanimously approved. Copies of the directive have been issued to seven departments.
Additionally, a consensus was reached to frame a policy for regularizing employees under service rules and the related file will be sent to the Advocate General of Punjab. A follow-up meeting will be held with senior officials and unions to finalize the policy.
Minister Bhullar further stated that the primary demands of contract employees, particularly salary uniformity, were discussed in a previous meeting held at the Chief Minister’s office in Chandigarh. The government, under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann’s leadership, agreed on uniform salaries and assured the resolution of other demands such as adding new buses to the corporation, regularizing contract workers, removing employees from the waiting list for active duties and increasing commissions for advance bookers.
Chairman Ranjodh Singh Hadana, during his address, highlighted that PRTC has increased wages for drivers by ₹2500 and and this ratio other employees a further 30% increment to according to Punjab Roadways. Employees hired after September 15, 2021, were earlier given only minimum wages. To address this disparity, the Board of Directors has decided to increase their wages by ₹2500 and an additional 10%, applicable only to those continuously working for over a year. This increment in wages will be prospective and no arrears of any kind will be paid.
Prominent members of the PRTC Azad Union, including State General Secretary Manjinder Kumar Babbu Sharma, Patron Gurdhyan Singh Bhanra, Gurpal Singh Sangrur and Khushwinder Singh Budhla, also participated in the meeting.
