Now Reading: Punjab bus strike called off after marathon talks with minister
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Punjab bus strike called off after marathon talks with minister
The Story in Brief
Contractual and outsourced employees of Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation called off their four-day strike on Saturday, 24 October 2026, after talks with transport authorities and cabinet minister Harpal Singh Cheema, restoring state-run bus services across the state.
The strike, which began on 21 October, had disrupted inter-district and inter-state services. Under the agreement, outsourced employees will be inducted into direct contractual service, with appointment letters to be distributed on 26 and 27 October. The union said the strike is only postponed until 29 October, warning of an indefinite stoppage if the government fails to formally implement the agreement.
A high-level meeting on 29 October involving finance and personnel departments will decide on the draft service rules and whether approval should come from the Board of Directors or the state Cabinet. Home department officials will formalise the agreed withdrawal of police cases registered during earlier protests.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The agreement postpones rather than ends the confrontation, with the union holding a 29 October deadline over the government. The next step is the high-level meeting that day, where the draft service rules will be considered. If the government fails to formalise the deal, the indefinite strike warning becomes active, leaving Punjab's bus services vulnerable again.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Methodology and corrections.
