Punjab government initiates disciplinary action against employees absent during August 27 'Maha Hartal', directs departments to issue show-cause notices. (File)The Punjab government has initiated disciplinary action against employees who remained absent from duty on August 27 as part of the statewide ‘Maha Hartal’, directing administrative secretaries and heads of departments to issue show-cause notices to those found to have been absent without authorisation.The move comes a day before more than 150 employee and pensioner organisations are scheduled to meet in Ludhiana to decide the next course of their agitation over pending Dearness Allowance (DA) instalments, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and other long-pending service demands.More than three lakh government employees had participated in the mass casual leave on August 27, while over 3.5 lakh pensioners had extended support to the protest.A Personnel Department letter issued on August 27, titled “Action regarding unauthorised absence of employees on duty”, directed administrative secretaries, divisional commissioners, principal secretaries and deputy commissioners to obtain details of employees absent that day. Disciplinary authorities were asked to issue show-cause notices to those found to have been “unauthorisedly absent” and take action under the applicable service rules.The government’s decision has, however, added a new flashpoint to its already strained relations with employee organisations. Union leaders have questioned the characterisation of the mass leave as “unauthorised”, pointing out that the protest had been announced well in advance and the government was aware that employees from various departments, boards and corporations would participate.The employees had announced the mass casual leave under the banner of the Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch as part of their agitation for release of 18 per cent pending DA, restoration of the OPS and regularisation of contractual employees, among other demands.The confrontation had escalated on August 27 itself after a scheduled meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and employee representatives in Jalandhar was cancelled. The government had maintained that talks and a strike could not take place simultaneously and that discussions would be held only after the employees called off their agitation.Story continues below this adEmployee representatives, who had gathered at the Punjab Armed Police complex for the meeting, protested after the talks were called off.The unions have now turned the government’s action against absentee employees into a question of accountability at the top.In a letter to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on August 28, the Sanjha Mulazam Manch sought deduction of one day’s salary from Mann, alleging that he had remained absent at the last moment from the scheduled meeting. It also sought recovery from his salary or allowances of expenditure incurred on security, stage arrangements, administrative preparations and transport for the meeting.The Manch argued that if service rules governing unauthorised absence were being invoked against ordinary employees, the same principle should apply to those responsible for cancelling the meeting after arrangements had been made. It also sought a public explanation and fixing of responsibility for what it termed the “misuse of government machinery”.The employee bodies are now expected to decide whether to intensify their agitation at their Ludhiana meeting on Sunday.Story continues below this adApart from DA and OPS, their demands include implementation of minimum wages for mid-day meal, ASHA and Anganwadi workers, restoration of the Assured Career Progression (ACP) scheme and extension of Punjab pay scales to employees recruited after July 17, 2020.The employees have also alleged that the government has failed to release the pending DA instalments and arrears despite directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.“We will make the announcement tomorrow. Just wait and watch,” said Sukhchain Singh Khaira, an employee leader.Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on InstagramTags:chandigarh