Protesting Pharmacists Lathicharged In Patiala
Several rural pharmacists and class IV employees who were protesting against the Punjab government’s alleged delaying in the regularization in their jobs were lathicharged today at Patiala by the police.
They were not only demanding regularization of their jobs but were also wanting a compensation of 20 lakhs for pharmacist Jaswinder Singh’s family in Bhatinda. Singh had recently committed suicide. Among the protestors Ram Singh Alowal of Patiala, Brajesh of Pathankot and Rupinder Raja of Moga were arrested. However they were later released when the chairman of the Employees Welfare Borad, Surinder Singh Pehalwan intervened in the issue and got them released. The Chairman said that he had a meeting with the Chief Minister Mr Prakash Singh Badal on the 30th of June and he said it was decided that Jaswinder’s family would get the due compensation as the protestors had wanted. Another protestor out there Devinderpal Singh Lasoi had attempted self immolation but the police present over there thwarted his move.
The pharmacist protestors blocked the traffic near the local bus stand and the pharmacist protestors also blocked the traffic near the Fountain Chowk. Devinderpal Singh said that the government must understand that it is impossible to run a family with Rs 7000 a month. There are more like Jaswinder Singh who are struggling very hard to sustain their families he added.
When the Patiala SDM, Gurpal Singh Chahal came to the protest venue, Gurmeet Singh a pharmacist said that they were going to gherao the Punjab Rural Development office and Panchayat Minister Surjit Singh Rakhra’s office too. While they were still having a word with SDM Chahal the police suddenly came and tried to lathicharge them to prevent them from moving ahead.
The rural pharmacist and class IV employees have been boycotting work since June1. This had brought to standstill the functioning of 1186 health dispensaries and 582 veterinary dispensaries throughout the state. These pharmacists and class IV workers are getting a monthly salary of Rs. 7000 and Rs. 3000 respectively. This is very low to sustain themselves and their families. They are demanding a pay scale which will be at par with their counterparts in the department of health.
Their key demands are as follows:
- Jobs of rural pharmacists and class IV employees , who have worked for seven years or more be regularized.
- They want their pay scales to be at par with the employees of the department of health.
- A 20 lakh rupee compensation be given to the family of pharmacist Jaswinder Singh of Bhatinda, who had recently committed suicide.
Police action:
The protestors were lathicharged while three protestors were arrested from the group but were later released.
