Public services in Punjab have been affected as government employees and transport workers continue their agitation over long-pending demands. The protests involve a mass casual leave programme by more than three lakh government employees and a separate strike by workers associated with state-run transport services.

The agitation has disrupted government office operations and public bus services, adding to the pressure on the Punjab government to address employees’ grievances.

Why Punjab government employees are protesting

Government employees have been pressing for the release of pending dearness allowance (DA) instalments and arrears, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), regularisation of contractual workers and resolution of pay-related issues.

The demands also cover service conditions and benefits for workers employed across different government departments. Employee organisations have called for concrete decisions on these matters, arguing that several issues remain unresolved despite discussions with the state government.

The mass casual leave programme has affected the functioning of government offices and administrative establishments across the state.

Roadways workers’ strike affects bus services

Separately, workers associated with Punjab Roadways, PUNBUS and the Punjab Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) have continued their agitation over employment-related demands.

The transport workers’ protest has affected the availability of public buses, creating difficulties for commuters who depend on state-run services for their daily travel.

The transport workers’ demands include regularisation under applicable service rules, changes to employment arrangements for outsourced workers and action on cases linked to previous protests.

The government employees’ agitation and the transport workers’ strike are separate actions, although both concern outstanding demands and the state government’s response to employee organisations.

Talks fail to resolve the deadlock

Discussions between employee representatives and the state government have so far failed to produce a comprehensive resolution to the dispute.

Employee organisations have continued to seek assurances and concrete action on their demands. The continuation of the agitation reflects the lack of an agreement that would persuade the protesting groups to withdraw their actions.

The dispute has also placed the state government under pressure to restore normal public services while addressing the concerns raised by government staff and transport workers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took aim at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, using the “failed product” remark to criticise the Congress and its repeated attempts to promote its political leadership.

The remark was part of Modi’s political attack on the Congress leader at the summit, which is being held in New Delhi on October 22 and 23 under the theme A World Between Orders. The two-day event brings together political leaders, policymakers, business executives and experts from technology and other fields.

PM Modi’s ‘failed product’ remark

The phrase “failed product” has featured in Modi’s criticism of the Congress before. In August 2023, while replying to the no-confidence motion debate in the Lok Sabha, he said the Congress had repeatedly tried to launch a “failed product”, with each attempt failing.

At the 2026 summit, the remark again became a point of political criticism directed at Rahul Gandhi.

The comment should be understood as a political jibe by the Prime Minister, rather than a factual assessment of Rahul Gandhi or the Congress.

World Summit 2026

The third edition of the World Summit is taking place in New Delhi on October 22 and 23. Its theme, “A World Between Orders”, focuses on changes in global power structures and the challenges facing countries as the international order evolves.

The summit’s discussions cover geopolitics, global strategy, economic developments, artificial intelligence, technology and India’s role in the changing world order.

Prime Minister Modi is among the prominent speakers at the event, which brings together voices from politics, diplomacy, business, science and culture.

The Uttar Pradesh government has highlighted its action against organised crime under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, citing property seizures worth Rs.15,233 crore under the Gangsters Act since March 2017.

The figures form part of the state’s wider campaign against criminal networks and assets allegedly acquired through illegal activities. The government has also highlighted housing projects developed on land reclaimed from illegal occupation, with 148 families receiving homes across two projects.

The reported figures reflect the administration’s stated approach of targeting both criminal networks and the financial resources associated with them.

Rs.15,233 crore in assets seized under Gangsters Act

According to figures reported by the state government, action under the Gangsters Act has been taken against tens of thousands of people since March 20, 2017. The value of seized movable and immovable assets linked to illegal activities has been reported at more than Rs.15,233 crore.

The government has also reported action against identified mafia figures and their associates. Such measures form part of its broader efforts to target organised criminal networks in Uttar Pradesh.

These figures are government-reported statistics and should be attributed to the authorities rather than presented as an independently verified assessment of the state’s overall crime situation.

Housing projects on reclaimed land

The administration has also pointed to housing initiatives using land freed from illegal occupation. According to reports on these projects, 148 families received homes through developments in Lukerganj, Prayagraj, and Dalibagh, Lucknow.

The projects have been presented as an effort to put reclaimed land to public use, including providing housing to economically weaker families.

Yogi government’s anti-gangster approach

The action against criminal assets is part of the Yogi Adityanath government’s broader law-and-order strategy. The administration has repeatedly emphasised action against organised crime, the seizure of assets linked to criminal activity and measures intended to strengthen policing.

The reported seizure figures and housing initiatives illustrate the government’s stated emphasis on pursuing criminal assets alongside action against individuals and gangs.