Punjab bus workers’ strike likely to end soon: Cheema

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Punjab Transport and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema on Saturday said the strike by contractual employees of state-run buses was likely to end soon, following a meeting with workers at the Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) office in Patiala on the fourth day of the protest.

Speaking to mediapersons after the meeting, Cheema said the government and employees had reached an agreement on their demands. However, he did not disclose the terms or specify when the strike would be withdrawn.

Cheema targets BJP over stubble burning

Responding to BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa’s allegations against the Punjab Government over stubble burning, Cheema accused the BJP of seeking cases against farmers. He claimed farmers in Punjab were not burning crop residue at present and urged BJP leaders to focus on Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and other neighbouring states.

Challenges Khaira over education

Referring to Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Cheema said he had presented all relevant evidence in the Assembly the previous day and had not concealed his educational qualifications. He challenged Khaira to disclose where he had completed Class XII.

Questions NHRC role in pilgrimage bus notices

On notices issued to pilgrimage buses declared unfit, Cheema alleged that the National Human Rights Commission was working to discontinue government schemes and acting at the BJP’s direction. He did not provide details about the notices or identify the buses concerned.

There was no immediate response from Sirsa, Khaira or the NHRC to the minister’s remarks. The terms of the agreement with the employees, its implementation and the timeline for restoring normal bus services remained unclear.