Chandigarh, July 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Power supply and healthcare services across Punjab returned to normal on Tuesday after 16 unions of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and the staff unions of Aam Aadmi Clinics (AACs) called off their strikes following discussions with the Punjab Government.
Announcing the development at a press conference in Chandigarh, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who heads the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Employee Issues and Demands, said the breakthrough was achieved after two days of extensive negotiations with representatives of the employee unions.
Cheema said the government held late-night discussions with Power Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond and PSPCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director, followed by a five-hour meeting at the PSPCL headquarters in Patiala, where a consensus was reached with all 16 power sector unions.
He said the participating unions agreed to resume normal operations after the government decided to constitute a dedicated financial committee to examine their financial demands. The committee has been tasked with submitting its report by August 15.
According to the minister, the unions that participated in the talks included the Technical Services Union PSEB, PSEB Employee Federation (AITUC), Ministerial Services Union PSEB, Association of Junior Engineers, PSEB Employee Federation (Bhardwaj), PSEB Thermal Employees Coordination Committee, Punjab Raj Bijli Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Worker Federation INTUC PSPCL/PSTCL, Employees Federation PSPCL/PSTCL, ITI Association, Grid Sub Station Employees Union Punjab, pensioners’ organisations and other employee bodies.
Cheema also announced that the strike by staff of Aam Aadmi Clinics had been withdrawn following a meeting between union representatives and the Managing Director of the National Health Mission (NHM).
He said the Punjab Government had accepted the employees’ principal demand that their service experience be considered while filling regular posts. Other administrative issues raised by the union remain under consideration, he added.
The Finance Minister further said that issues concerning sanitation and sewerage board workers had also witnessed progress after discussions with Local Government Minister Harjot Singh Bains, with key unions withdrawing their protest calls.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to employee welfare, Cheema said an ordinance proposing the conversion of outsourced employees into contractual staff had been submitted to the Punjab Governor. He said the measure is aimed at improving job security and service conditions for thousands of workers across the state.
With the withdrawal of the strikes, power supply operations and healthcare services at Aam Aadmi Clinics have resumed normal functioning across Punjab, the minister said.
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