Unemployed Linemen Protest Outside Rakhra’s Residence

In an irony of sorts, Akali staffers and Punjab Police employees were seen clashing with unemployed linemen and their families outside the residence of Mr. Surjit Singh Rakhra, Minister for Rural Development & Panchayat.

Due to the protest by unemployed linemen and their family members, the Nabha-Patiala road got jammed for a period of 4 hours continuously,

Members belonging to the Unemployed Linemen Association began lifting slogans against the Punjab ministers.

“Creating traffic jams, stopping buses and sitting on dharnas with the aim to get your demands fulfilled is not necessary. The demands of these linemen are not authentic. A number of them are very old and cannot even walk, let alone climb the electric poles to work as linemen,” a representative added.

It may be recalled that Punjab administration had advertised 5,000 positions of linemen during January 2011, however only 1,000 males got nominated.

“On February this year, the court stated that there is no ban on staffing, but still appointment letters are not being forwarded,” said the union head.

At this time, a confidential meeting got arranged between SDM Gurpal Chahal, SP Daljit Singh Rana,  DSP Devinder Singh Dhuri, Traffic In charge Patiala Hardeep Singh,  SHO Jaswinder Singh Tiwana, SHO Rajesh Kumar Chibber and Charanjeet Singh Rakhra, Surjit Rakhra’s brother.

Mr. Charanjeet Singh Rakhra assured the unemployed linemen and their families that Surjit Singh Rakhra will shortly arrange a meeting with Punjanb CM and deputy CM to solve your problem.