Patiala Admn silent over linemen union protest
Aman Sood/TNS

Patiala, December 15
Despite court orders prohibiting dharnas in a distance of 100 meter radius from the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), the agitating members of the Unemployed Employees Union, Punjab, held a dharna at the Mall Road outside PSPCL headquarters.

PSPCL authorities have filed a contempt of court application against the protesters outside their head-office, which would come up for hearing on December 21.

Making a mockery of the District Administration and the law enforcing agencies, the union members started gathering at the Mall Road and raised anti-government slogans. The dharna was lifted in the evening after the officials met the protesters.

The police deputed at the venue claimed that till the time they get orders to disperse the agitators, they were helpless. “We have enough security and equipment but were standing here as mute spectators,” they said.

Agitated over the non-issuance of appointment letters to 5,000 unemployed linesmen, representatives of the Unemployed Employees Union, Punjab, claimed that on October 27, Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal had conveyed to the union that within 10 days, 5,000 linesmen would be recruited on contract basis at a salary of Rs 10,000 per month in PSPCL, but was done in this regard.

Press secretary for the union, Nirmal Singh, said members from the all districts had reached here and they would intensify their agitation if their demands are not meted out by the government at the earliest.