A Punjab  Cabinet Sub-Committee comprising Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema and NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, formed to address the legitimate demands and issues of Punjab government employees, held a series of meetings today with representatives from the Meritorious Teachers Union, 3704 Adhiyapak Union, Democratic Teachers Front, Purani Pension Prapti Morcha, Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association, and Anganwari Mulazam Union. Punjab Cabinet Sub-Committee held a series of meetings today with representatives from the Meritorious Teachers Union. They also met representatives from the 3704 Adhiyapak Union. Cabinet Sub-Committee also met the Democratic Teachers Front. They met with Purani Pension Prapti Morcha too. The Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association and Anganwari Mulazam Union were also represented.

Union highlighted the achievements of Meritorious Schools

During the meeting, representatives of the Meritorious Teachers Union highlighted the achievements of Meritorious Schools. These schools are creating a bright future for students. They presented their demands and issues. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema spoke for the Cabinet Sub-Committee. He directed the Education Department to consider regularizing the services of these teachers. The officers committee was constituted for this purpose.

Punjab Cabinet ; FM instructed the preparation of a report on the financial demands

He also instructed the preparation of a report on the financial demands of the union. This report should be sent to the Finance Department. Finance Minister Cheema assured the union that the Punjab government is led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. The government is paying special attention to the demands and issues of employees who are delivering exceptional services. In the meeting with the Democratic Teachers Front, the Cabinet Sub-Committee gave instructions to the Education Department. They must seek legal opinion from the Advocate General’s Office. They need to address the issues raised by the front that are currently in court. Additionally, they should consider any issues that may face legal hurdles. Regarding the financial issues raised by the front, Finance Minister Cheema gave assurance.

Cabinet Sub-Committee held discussions with the Education Department

The Finance Department is taking these matters seriously. The Cabinet Sub-Committee requested the Education Department to meet with the ‘3704 Adhiyapak Union’. They must also submit a report on the issues raised. The Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association demanded making agriculture a compulsory subject in schools. The Cabinet Sub-Committee held discussions with the Education Department. They asked the department to refer this matter to the Subject Expert Committee. Additionally, the Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Education Department to consider including agriculture in vocational courses.

Union Government presented the ‘Unified Pension Scheme

The Purani Pension Prapti Morcha raised the issue of resuming the old pension scheme for state government employees. The committee informed the Morcha that the officers committee constituted by the Punjab Government is holding regular meetings. They aim to make appropriate decisions in this regard. Finance Department officials informed the Cabinet Sub-Committee. They stated that, as a result, any further decisions will occur only after they receive detailed guidelines regarding the new pension scheme. The Union Government presented the ‘Unified Pension Scheme’.

Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the department to write to the Union government.

The Anganwari Mulazam Union raised the issue of gratuity. The Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department to seek legal advice. Then, they sent the matter to the Finance Department. The demands related to the Union government required action. The Cabinet Sub-Committee directed the department to write to the Union government. They urgently need to resolve these issues. Moreover, difficulties arise primarily because primary schools include some Anganwadi centers. Consequently, the Cabinet Sub-Committee requested the departments to coordinate and, furthermore, hold a meeting with the Education Department.

Representatives from Teachers Unions Attend Today’s Meetings

Today’s meetings were attended by Dr. Tina, Dr. Ajay, Boota Singh and Ashpreet Kaur from the Meritorious Teachers Union, Vikram Dev Singh, Mohinder Kaurianwali, Gurpiar Kotli, Rajiv Barnala and Sukhdev Singh Dansiwal from the Democratic Teachers Front; Harjinder Singh, Yadwinder Singh and Charanjit Singh from ‘3704 Adhiyapak Union’, Angrej Singh and Akashdeep from the Khetibari Vidhyarthi Association, Gurjant Singh Kokri, Tehal Singh Sarabha and Randeep Singh from Purani Pension Prapti Morcha, and Usha Rani and Gurmeet Kaur from Anganwari Mulazam Union.