Palledars end dharna after seven months

Sangrur, August 30

Palledars (grain market workers) have ended their over seven-and-a-half month old dharna, which commenced on January 7 this year at the Sangrur grain market and later shifted to near the residence of CM Bhagwant Mann here in mid-February. The workers sought abolition of the contractual labour system from the state’s food procurement agencies. The leaders of the palledar’s unions decided to end their protest as the government assured them that their demands would be considered.

Talking to The Tribune today, Punjab Palledar Unions Labour Cell Mohan Singh said a meeting was organised with the leaders of various palledar unions with the Punjab Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema and the Food and Civil Supply Minister, Lal Chand Kataruchak, at Chandigarh yesterday.

Mohan Singh said that from the response of the Finance Minister, they were hopeful that the state government wanted to abolish the contractual labour system from the state’s food procurement agencies. He added they are set to have another meeting with the minister on Monday.