Punjab government imposed ESMA on Patwaris strike
Protesters have been protesting for different demands in punjab for the last few days. The punjab government
has imposed Essential services Management Act (ESMA) on the protesters who demonstrated on Wednesday
(30 August). After this announcement of the state government, Patwaris have announced that they will start
pendown strike from friday (1st September).
In this regard, President of The Revenue Patwar Union, Harveer Singh Dhindsa said that out of 4 thousand 716
Patwar circles of punjab, 3 thousand 193 posts are lying vacant. At present only 1 thousand 523 Patwaris were
working as additional in these Patwar circles. But from friday onwards Patwari will not do any work in these
vacant circles and will only look after the work of his circle.
'Government is strangling the employees by applying ESMA'
Patwar Union, which gave revenue on the imposition of ESMA by the punjab government, said, 'By imposing
ESMA, the punjab government is trying to strangulate the employees.' He said that 'the Aam Aadmi Party
government of the state, which emerged from the movement, should not do this. The union has announced that,
amid this pendown strike, Patwari will continue to do flood related work. The Patwaris alleged that a wrong
case has been registered against one of their associates in Sangrur district, which should be quashed.
The government gave this reason for imposing ESMA
Patwaris have demanded from the state government that all the vacant posts should be filled and the old pension
scheme should also be implemented on them. chief minister Bhagwant Mann had said on wednesday (30
August) that, Patwari is trying to save his corrupt partner. Regarding the implementation of ESMA, the state
government said that if the Patwaris go on strike, the work of providing relief in flood affected areas may be
hampered, hence the government has implemented ESMA. On this decision of the government, the Patwar
union leader said, They will continue to work in their circle, hence ESMA will not be applicable on them.