Bhagwant Mann Government Prepares to Crack Down on Two-Day Employees’ Strike- Summoned record of Absentee Emoloyees
Lists of employees absent from duty without prior approval sought
Ravi Jakhu | Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 21: The Punjab Government has signalled its intention to take a tough stand on the two-day employees’ strike and unauthorised absence from duty. The Department of General Administration has issued directions to prepare lists of government employees who remained absent from duty on October 21, 2026, without prior approval from the competent authority.
The government initiated this move after talks between the Chief Secretary and employees’ leaders broke down on Wednesday evening.
In the instructions issued to all Administrative Secretaries, Heads of Departments and Deputy Commissioners, the department stated that several employees in different Punjab Government offices had remained absent from duty on October 21 without obtaining prior approval for leave. The authorities have been asked to prepare lists of all such employees and send them by email to the Department of General Administration.
The circular does not specify any particular penalty or further action against the employees found absent without authorisation.
It may be recalled that employees are observing a two-day strike on October 21 and 22 on the call of the Joint Action Committee of employees. They have also announced that the strike will continue during the Punjab Vidhan Sabha session, which begins on October 22.
A similar exercise was initiated during an earlier protest as well, but the action was subsequently withdrawn.