States » NorthPosted at: Oct 29 2026 3:50PM


Services hit at 544 Punjab Sewa Kendras as employees strike over penalties of up to Rs 1.5 lakh

Chandigarh, Oct 29 (UNI) Government services at 544 Sewa Kendras across Punjab were disrupted on Thursday after employees launched a statewide strike against alleged arbitrary financial penalties of up to Rs 1.5 lakh, warning that the agitation would continue until Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann intervenes.
The strike, which began in the afternoon, affected centres providing Aadhaar-related services, certificates and other government documents, potentially inconveniencing thousands of residents who depend on the facilities for routine administrative work.
Jaswinder Singh Gill, state president of the Sewa Kendra Employees' Union, alleged that employees were being subjected to disproportionate financial penalties for minor clerical mistakes and technical errors while processing applications.
"Employees are being penalised heavily even for minor mistakes and technical issues beyond their control. These penalties have created a serious financial crisis for workers," Gill said.
He said a statewide meeting of union representatives had been scheduled for Thursday evening to decide the next course of action.
District union president Jaswinder Saini alleged that penalties ranging from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh were being imposed on operators without a fair mechanism to examine individual cases.
"How can an operator continue working when penalties of Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh are imposed without a fair hearing? Such arbitrary action has made it increasingly difficult for employees to carry out their duties," Saini said.
The union accused the Department of Governance Reforms and companies involved in operating the centres of failing to address repeated representations over the penalty system.
According to union leaders, employees had raised the issue with the Punjab government and the agencies concerned on several occasions but had received no satisfactory response.
The protesters demanded an immediate suspension of the disputed penalty mechanism, withdrawal of previously imposed fines and the introduction of a transparent procedure for addressing complaints against operators.
They also sought direct intervention by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, warning that the strike would continue until the government reviewed the penalties and provided relief to affected employees.
"We have repeatedly approached the authorities, but our concerns have been ignored. The agitation will continue until the chief minister personally intervenes and ensures justice for the employees," Saini said.
The strike has brought renewed attention to the functioning of Punjab's Sewa Kendra network, a key channel for delivering government services to residents.
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