Harpal Singh Cheema chairs crucial talks with three unions
Chandigarh – Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, who also heads the Cabinet Sub-Committee on employee issues, held back-to-back meetings with three employee unions on Monday. The discussions were aimed at addressing the legitimate demands of government employees across different departments.
The unions included the Powercom & Transco Contractual Employees Union, the Punjab Ayurvedic Medical Services Association, and the Homeopathic Medical Officers Association. Each group presented their concerns in detail, seeking immediate intervention from the government.
During a meeting at the PSPCL Guest House, Cheema was joined by Power Minister Harbhajan Singh E.T.O and PSPCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director A.K. Sinha. The Powercom & Transco Contractual Employees Union highlighted long-standing issues regarding contractual workers and demanded policy-level solutions.
Cheema directed officials to prepare a detailed proposal addressing the concerns and discuss it with the Finance and Personnel Departments for swift follow-up action. He assured union leaders that the Punjab government remains committed to resolving genuine employee concerns in a time-bound manner.
The union was represented by State President Balihar Singh, General Secretary Tek Chand, and Press Secretary Inderpreet Singh.
Ayurvedic and Homeopathic doctors present demands
Earlier in the day, Cheema held separate meetings at his Civil Secretariat office with the Punjab Ayurvedic Medical Services Association and the Homeopathic Medical Officers Association.
Both associations raised issues related to service conditions, staffing shortages, and welfare measures. The Finance Minister assured them that their demands would not be ignored. He instructed the concerned departments to prepare comprehensive proposals for early resolution and forward them to the Finance Department.
Representatives of the Ayurvedic Medical Services Association included Patron Dr. Sanjeev Goyal, President Dr. Amanpreet Singh, and General Secretary Dr. Rajiv Mehta. The Homeopathic Medical Officers Association delegation included Patron Dr. Rajiv, President Dr. Balwinder Kumar, General Secretary Dr. Harinder Pal Singh, and Vice President Dr. Richa.
Cheema emphasized that the government values the contribution of healthcare professionals and recognizes their role in strengthening Punjab’s public health system.
Government’s approach to employee welfare
The meetings reflect the Punjab government’s broader approach of engaging directly with employees and unions to resolve disputes. By creating a Cabinet Sub-Committee, the government has attempted to establish a transparent platform for dialogue.
Officials present noted that Cheema’s proactive engagement signals a commitment to addressing grievances systematically rather than delaying solutions. Moreover, union leaders expressed satisfaction with the Finance Minister’s sympathetic hearing and his assurance of concrete action.
The Punjab government has been facing pressure from multiple employee groups in recent months, ranging from power sector workers to health service professionals. Monday’s discussions are expected to set the tone for structured negotiations in the coming weeks.
What comes next?
With proposals expected from each department soon, the ball now lies in the Finance and Personnel Departments’ court. Once the drafts are reviewed, they will be tabled before the Cabinet Sub-Committee for final consideration.
Union leaders, while cautiously optimistic, have stated that they expect timely implementation of assurances. For them, the government’s sincerity will be judged not by meetings but by tangible policy changes.
As Punjab continues to expand its focus on governance reforms, resolving employee concerns could play a critical role in ensuring smooth service delivery across departments.