PRTC Punbus and Punjab Roadways contract staff stage ‘gate rallies’ on Republic Day

Patiala: Contractual employees of Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC), Punjab Roadways and Punbus held two-hour gate rallies across all 27 depots in the state on Republic Day, disrupting bus services and inconveniencing passengers.The protests were organised by the Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers' Union (25/11), which observed the day as a symbolic ‘Black Day'. Protesters wore black badges and raised slogans against the state govt, accusing it of "stifling democratic dissent" and failing to deliver on pre-poll promises.The union said gate rallies formed part of an escalation against the AAP-led govt. Its demands included the immediate release of 10 union leaders who had been in judicial custody for 60 days following a previous agitation in 2025. The union also opposed the ‘kilometre scheme', describing the govt's private bus-leasing policy as a "backdoor attempt at privatization" that threatened the job security of over 8,000 contractual staff.The union demanded regularisation of services, saying thousands of employees continued to work under the contract system without the benefits of permanent employment despite assurances. Leaders also alleged financial mismanagement, claiming the govt owed nearly Rs 1,200 crore in pending free-travel concessions, leading to delays in salary payments and a lack of spare parts for the ageing fleet."Itis Republic Day, yet we do not feel the freedom to demand our basic rights. Our colleagues are languishing in jail for protesting against policies that favor private players over the common man," said Harkesh Kumar Vicky, a state-level union leader, during a rally at Patiala depot. He said a meeting of union leaders had been fixed for Wednesday with the state govt over the demands after which action will be announced.The rallies, typically held from 11am to 1pm, briefly paralysed bus operations, leaving holiday travellers stranded at major terminals including Patiala, Ludhiana and Jalandhar. Even after the rallies ended, services remained thin as many workers stayed away from duty in solidarity with the jailed leaders. The union said the gate rallies were the beginning of a larger offensive and, following a meeting in Ludhiana, announced a strict schedule for future agitations.