ETT Teachers’ Union Punjab announces “Do-or-Die” agitation over Old Pension Scheme, DA arrears
Warns of Statewide Protest
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, May 4, 2026: The ETT Teachers’ Union Punjab has announced a “do-or-die” agitation against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over long-pending demands including the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), release of Dearness Allowance (DA), and removal of non-teaching duties assigned to teachers.
Addressing a state-level press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club, Union State President Jaswinder Singh Sidhu, along with other leaders, accused the government of failing to deliver on its promises to employees despite earlier announcements and notifications.
Sidhu said district-level meetings will be held across Punjab from May 6 to May 10 to strengthen the movement. He added that from May 24 onwards, employee gatherings will be organized in the native villages of Cabinet Ministers, starting with Minister Harbhajan Singh ETO’s village, followed by those of Gurmeet Singh Khudian, Aman Arora, Harpal Singh Cheema, Sanjeev Arora, Mahinder Bhagat, and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains.
The union stated that at these gatherings, symbolic “public accountability forums” will be set up where ministers will be asked to explain their election promises and government notifications related to pensions and allowances. Formal invitations will be sent to ministers a week in advance.
Warning of escalation, Sidhu said that if ministers or the Chief Minister fail to attend, public meetings will be held across Punjab to expose the government’s stand. The union also announced plans to display “No Vote for AAP Party” banners in villages.
The union further alleged that despite announcements before elections regarding OPS restoration and related cabinet approvals, implementation has not taken place even after several years, calling it a betrayal of employees’ trust.
Separately, the union submitted a memorandum to the Director School Education (Elementary) over service anomalies, pending dues, and non-academic duties such as census, BLO, and drug survey work. It warned that if demands are not met, the DPI office in Mohali will be gheraoed on May 13.
Union leaders including Balraj Singh Ghaloti, Onkar Singh, Press Secretary Rajesh Kumar, and several district representatives were present during the press conference.