A tense situation unfolded at the Punjab water supply and sanitation department’s Phase-2 office in Mohali on Tuesday, as two temporary employees scaled a water tank, demanding the regularization of their jobs. Carrying a bottle of fuel, they remained atop the tank for nearly seven hours, finally descending around 4pm after receiving reassurances from department officials and the police.
Earlier that day, 417 volunteers from the Motivator Workers Union Punjab protested by locking the department head’s office. Ravi Kulrian, Gurpreet Sodhi, and Ranjit Rana, members of the union, explained that they had been enlisted as “motivator workers” as part of the Swachh Bharat initiative in 2015. They had contributed to achieving open defecation-free villages in the state, assisted in implementing government schemes, facilitated bill collection, and worked to ensure 24-hour water supply.
The union leaders expressed their frustration, stating that despite their efforts, they had only received assurances from ministers. They demanded a fixed salary, integration into the department based on experience, and an end to exploitation and discrimination. The leaders warned of escalating their protest if their demands remained unmet.
In response to the situation, a significant police presence was deployed. Superintendent of Police Akashdeep Singh Aulakh confirmed that the union had submitted a letter outlining their demands, which was forwarded to the relevant department head. Following this action, the union members concluded their sit-in.
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