Ludhiana: Restore Old Pension Scheme, demand government employees
The Old Pension Restoration Struggle Committee and Central Provident Fund (CPF) Employees Union on Thursday took to the streets of Ludhiana demanding the reinstatement of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). The flag march and a car rally organised by government employees had participation from several unions across Punjab
Prabhjeet Singh Rasulpur, state press secretary of the committee, along with Jagjit Singh Maan from the Government Teachers' Union, revealed that although the Punjab government issued a notification two years ago promising to bring back the old pension scheme, there has been no implementation so far. This long delay has triggered frustration and anger among employees, especially those appointed after 2004.
Rasulpur expressed disappointment with the state government, stating that government employees had pinned their hopes on the Aam Aadmi Party after it promised OPS restoration before coming to power. 'Forget fulfilling that promise, the government hasn't even acknowledged other legitimate demands of employees. Even after more than three and a half years, we are still on the roads,' he said. 'Instead of opening a dialogue, they are using the police force to silence us. Teachers and employees are being humiliated on the streets, turbans knocked off, scarves torn, this is nothing short of a human rights violation,' he added.
Adding to the chaos, the rally blocked Phullanwal Chowk to Ferozepur Road for nearly 2 to 3 hours. Commuters were left stranded in long queues, and daily travel across the city turned into a nightmare. However, the protestors vowed to intensify their struggle until the government honours its promise and restores the old pension scheme in full.
Unemployed teachers protest long-pending recruitment
Unemployed teachers under the banner of ETT 5994 Unemployed Teachers Union Punjab took out a rally against the Punjab government and accused the state of turning a blind eye to their long-pending recruitment.
The protesters revealed that the government had announced 5,994 vacancies under the Elementary Teacher Training (ETT) cadre nearly three years ago, but to date, only a partial list of 2,670 candidates has been released. The rest of the posts remain unfilled, leaving thousands in a state of uncertainty and frustration.
Union leaders Surinder Pal from Gurdaspur, Mandeep from Fazilka, Ashok Kumar from Jalalabad, Surinder from Abohar, Ajit from Mansa, and Vishal Kumar from Abohar jointly said that they have repeatedly sought answers from the education minister, but every meeting ends in disappointment. 'The department fails to provide any clear or satisfactory answer. This neglect has pushed us to the brink mentally and emotionally,' they added.
'If the remaining lists are not released soon, we will be forced to take harsher steps. And if any harm comes to life or property during the struggle, the responsibility will lie with the Punjab government,' warned the union.
Adarsh School staff protest, demand meeting with CM Mann
Hundreds of teachers and non-teaching staff from Adarsh Schools across Punjab hold a protest rally, slamming the state government for neglecting their long-pending demands.
The members of the Adarsh School Teaching and Non-Teaching Employees Union expressed deep frustration over Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann's refusal to meet the union even once during his tenure. 'When Mann was an MP, he praised Adarsh Schools and called teachers the form of God on stage. Now it's been over three years since his government came to power, and he hasn't spared even a moment to listen to us,' said state president Jasvir Singh Galoti.
The leaders pointed out that the teachers of these schools continue to suffer without basic support. They alleged that the education department is treating them with step-motherly behaviour and their repeated efforts to meet ministers have gone unanswered. 'Despite meeting every minister possible, not a single message of relief has come,' added union member Sukhdeep Kaur.
The protesters, blocking roads at Gol Chowk, raised loud slogans against the government and urged the public to hold the ruling party accountable for its false promises. 'It's time the people show this government that just as they can vote someone in, they can vote them out too,' the protesters said.
SDM Poonampreet assured the union that an official request for a meeting with the chief minister would be sent by Friday. The union vowed to continue its struggle until their voices are heard.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
7 minutes ago
- Herald Sun
Aggressive boy forcibly removed from Ballarat Blue Light Disco
Don't miss out on the headlines from Ballarat. Followed categories will be added to My News. A small group of vaping and aggressive teens disrupted a monthly Ballarat youth disco on Friday night, with one boy forcefully removed from the venue after clashing with staff. Ballarat's Blue Light Disco is run out of Sebastopol's RSL on the third Friday of every month. The evening events are organised and run by volunteers alongside police officers and are meant to provide safe socialisation for primary school students. But the June 20 function was soured by some misbehaving attendees, with one boy having to be forcibly removed from the disco hall. 'Very early on, a small group of boys and girls that were observed vaping by staff were asked to leave the event,' organisers wrote online early on Saturday. 'This is clearly against the rules of Blue Light. 'Later, we excluded another young male whose behaviour was a risk to the safety of others. 'In removing the person, he became very aggressive towards staff and reasonable force was used to remove him from the hall.' The behaviour then spread to some of the perpetrator's friends, organisers said. It has led them to consider a stricter enforcement of age rules: some Year 7s and Year 8s have been allowed to continue patronising the disco, but organisers believe the anti-social elements from last Friday night were part of this older group. They addressed parents about what had occurred and banned those responsible from future events. 'On a positive note, it was pleasing that the majority of young people that attended all had a good time, danced, had fun with their friends, and 10 people went home with prizes,' organisers said. The disco organisers have been contacted for comment.
Hype Malaysia
7 minutes ago
- Hype Malaysia
(Video) My Chemical Romance To Return To Malaysia? Fans Notice Mysterious Billboard Ads In KL
Ever since My Chemical Romance (MCR) reunited to headline the When We Were Young music festival in Las Vegas last year, Malaysian fans have been manifesting the band's return to Kuala Lumpur. The last time they performed here was back in 2007 at Stadium Merdeka, where over 10,000 fans sang along to their songs at the top of their lungs. Previously, there have been hints that local concert organisers were working to bring the Grammy-nominated band back to our shores, but until now, nothing had been confirmed. That is, until fans recently began noticing something unusual projected onto billboards around the city. Here's what they saw: Over the weekend, a fan posted on both his TikTok and Twitter accounts about something he encountered while out in Bukit Bintang. In the video, he captured a large digital billboard above the McDonald's outlet briefly displaying the words 'Malaysia, are you okay?' alongside an image of a rose, before switching back to the regular advertisements. Another internet user spotted the same mysterious display on a digital billboard at the side of the road in Bangsar. For context, the rose is strongly associated with MCR, having appeared in the band's merchandise and music videos. With this in mind, the cryptic billboard ads have led many to believe that the 'Welcome to the Black Parade' artists could be performing in Malaysia later this year or in 2026. Many MCR fans reacted to the videos with hopeful excitement, saying they've been waiting nearly two decades for the band's return. Others remain sceptical, speculating that it might be a tribute concert rather than the real thing. A few have suggested that the ads may have nothing to do with MCR at all, noting that the rose alone isn't definitive proof. However, some of the biggest hints pointing to a potential concert include the fact that the band will be embarking on their North American tour, raising the possibility of dates being added in other regions. Warner Music Malaysia have also been sharing nostalgic throwbacks to MCR's music on its Instagram account, drawing more interest. Do you think the group will be coming to Malaysia? We can only hope so. Guess we'll have to wait and see if the rumours are true. Here are the viral clips: Sources: TikTok (1)(2)(3), Twitter (1)(2) What's your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
Sky News
8 minutes ago
- Sky News
Met Police chief 'frustrated' at planned protest to support Palestine Action - as government moves to ban the group
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says he is "shocked and frustrated" at a planned protest in support of Palestine Action. The demonstration, due to take place in Westminster later, comes as the government moves to ban the group under anti-terror laws. Activists from Palestine Action hit the headlines last week after targeting RAF Brize Norton and damaging two military aircraft in a significant security breach. 1:33 Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will update MPs on the move to proscribe the organisation, which would make it a criminal offence to belong to or support it. Sir Mark said that - until this happens - the force has "no power in law" to prevent the protest from taking place, but lawbreakers will be "dealt with robustly". He added: "This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered. "Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft. "Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences." He added that - while the right to protest is essential - "actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as a legitimate protest". Over the weekend, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he could not rule out the possibility of a foreign power being behind Palestine Action. Any move to proscribe the group must be debated and approved by MPs and peers. Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer suggested that vandalising aircraft would not solely provide legal justification for such a move. 2:45 Lord Falconer said: "I am not aware of what Palestine Action has done beyond the painting of things on the planes in Brize Norton, they may have done other things I didn't know. "But generally, that sort of demonstration wouldn't justify proscription so there must be something else that I don't know about." Palestine Action has staged a series of protests in recent months - spraying the offices of Allianz Insurance in London, and vandalising Donald Trump's golf course in Ayrshire.
