Punjab govt seeks lists of employees absent from duty during August 27 Maha Hartal
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Government has sought details of employees who remained absent from duty on Thursday, August 27, following the state-wide ‘Maha Hartal’ called by government employee unions.
The Department of Personnel, Punjab, issued an order on Thursday directing all Special Chief Secretaries, Additional Chief Secretaries, Financial Commissioners, Principal Secretaries and Administrative Secretaries to compile and submit details of employees who were absent from their respective government offices.
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According to the order, complaints have been received from various quarters about members of the public facing inconvenience because officials were not available at government offices.
The department has therefore directed all Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments to prepare a list of employees who remained absent from duty and submit it to the Department of General Administration by the end of the working day.
The order states that further necessary action will be taken under the applicable service rules.
The government’s directive comes on the same day as the employees’ ‘Maha Hartal’, which was organised over several long-pending demands, including payment of pending Dearness Allowance instalments and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme.
The protest saw employees from different government departments taking mass casual leave and gathering at various locations across Punjab.
The latest order indicates that the government has begun formally collecting attendance-related information following the protest.
The Personnel Department order, dated August 27, 2026, was issued with the approval of the competent authority.
For employees who remained absent without authorised leave, the government has indicated that the matter may be examined under the relevant service rules.
- PTC NEWS
