Strike by Power Corporation Employees Is Causing Difficulties for Farmers During Paddy Transplantation & Inconveniencing Public: Aman Arora
SUNAM; 26th July 2026: Punjab Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Sunday urged the striking Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) employees to immediately withdraw their strike, saying it is causing immense hardship to farmers during the crucial paddy transplantation season and disrupting essential services for nearly three crore people across the stateAddressing a press conference on Sunday, he reiterated that the Bhagwant Mann Government remains committed to dialogue. He said the high-level committee, formed 25 days ago at the request of employee unions, is already reviewing their pending demands. He assured that the government will accept all genuine recommendations made by the committee.
PSPCL Employees ; government has provided jobs to thousands of youth in various departments
The AAP Punjab President said, “The Bhagwant Mann Government is a government for every section of society. Since assuming office, it has taken several historic decisions for the welfare of employees. The government has provided jobs to thousands of youth in various departments, regularised thousands of contractual employees, extended them service benefits and resolved several long-pending demands of employees across different departments. Many demands of the Power Board employees have already been accepted by the government.”
The Cabinet Minister said, “Regarding the remaining demands, it was the employee unions themselves who requested the government to constitute a special committee for discussions with representation from both the government and the unions. Acting on their request, the government constituted a high-level committee around 20 to 25 days ago. The committee comprises senior officers from the Finance, Power and Personnel Departments along with four representatives of the employee unions. “The committee has been actively discussing these issues, and the government stands ready to address every genuine demand with empathy and a positive approach.”
put pressure on the government cannot be justified
He added, “I assure the employee unions that the government will accept every genuine demand recommended by the committee. Since the government and employee unions are already holding discussions, launching a strike before completing the dialogue process does not serve the larger public interest.”
Aman Arora said, “Going on strike with the mindset that public inconvenience and hardship to farmers will put pressure on the government cannot be justified under any circumstances. The government belongs to you, and you are servants of the people just as we are. Therefore, I humbly appeal to all employee unions not to inconvenience the people of Punjab, especially our farmer brothers during the ongoing paddy transplantation season.”
Sharing an incident from his visit to villages, the Cabinet Minister said, “Today, I met several farmers, including one farmer who cultivates three acres of leased land. He told me with deep anguish that the strike had disrupted the electricity supply and severely damaged his livelihood. He questioned why farmers like him should suffer for issues that are not their fault. Arora said that any disputes were between the government and the concerned parties, and that the government was already addressing them positively. He urged everyone not to punish innocent citizens or make them suffer under any circumstances.
We always listen to every genuine concern raised by employee unions
Aman Arora stated, “CM Bhagwant Singh Mann is personally monitoring the entire matter. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and Power Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO are in constant touch with the employee unions and are making every possible effort to resolve the issue through dialogue.”
He said, “The Punjab Government’s stand is very clear. “We always listen to every genuine concern raised by employee unions and individual employees, and we remain committed to finding appropriate solutions through constructive dialogue.”
The Chief Minister, the Power Department and the entire government have their hearts, minds and doors open. You are welcome to meet the Chief Minister or any minister at any time and present your case. Every demand that is in the interest of PSPCL Employees , Punjab and the people of the state will receive due consideration.”
Around 90 per cent of the employees, nearly 18,500 personnel, are on strike
The Cabinet Minister said, “During the last four and a half years, the Punjab Government has undertaken unprecedented efforts to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the state. If some people attempt to tarnish the government’s image by inconveniencing the public through a strike, the people of Punjab are well aware of the facts.”
Appealing to farmer organisations, Aman Arora said, “I urge farmer organisations to keep the larger public interest in mind and play a constructive role by engaging with the employee unions to help bring the strike to an end.”
In his concluding appeal, Aman Arora stated, “I once again fold my hands and appeal to my Power Corporation employee brothers and sisters to immediately withdraw the strike and restore electricity services to normal. Around 90 per cent of the PSPCL Employees , nearly 18,500 personnel, are on strike, and because of this nearly three crore people of Punjab are being affected. Neither the government nor the people can accept attempts to create pressure by disrupting essential public services or causing hardship to citizens. Place your demands before the government without hesitation.”
“Every genuine demand will be resolved through dialogue, but this approach of arm-twisting the government by inconveniencing the public will neither be tolerated nor viewed favourably. Let us resolve every issue through discussions while safeguarding the larger interests of Punjab and its people,” said Aman Arora.
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