Unemployed linemen defer decision to protest

BATHINDA/Moga: The unemployed linemen union has deferred its protest on Friday, a day ahead of second sadbhavna rally of Shiromani Akali Dal to be held IN Moga. The union members were called for a meeting with the Punjab deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal on Friday to discuss their demands.
The union members were later told that Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) chairman and managing director KD Chaudhary was out of India, no decision could be taken in his absence and the meeting was deferred to December 7.Following that the linemen union also deferred its decision to protest during the Moga rally.
They however threatened to stage a protest on December 8 if the demand of providing jobs to unemployed linemen was not met by December 7.
Unemployed linemen have been protesting for over four years. The state government had assured to employ 5,000 linemen but could absorb only 1,000 while the remaining 4,000 workers still are waiting for jobs.
Unemployed linemen union president Pirmal Singh said, "Though the state government has tried to play smart by deferring the meeting to December 7 and stopped us from holding any protest at the Moga rally, it will be last chance for it to avoid our protests. If nothing comes out of the December 7 meeting we will start an indefinite protest from December 8 rally."