Punjab Roadways and Punbus strike has been called off following talks with Transport Secretary Varun Roojam.The agitation, launched in protest against the induction of private buses under the kilometre scheme, was expected to intensify with PRTC contractual drivers and conductors joining the strike.Photo credit/TribuneThe strike was called under the banner of Punjab Roadways, Punbus and PRTC Contract Workers Union (Punjab).Bikram Singh, head of the union in Jalandhar depot 1, said, “The strike, which was originally scheduled from June 22 to 24, was advanced when Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema flagged off five Volvo buses operating under the Punbus kilometre scheme for the Delhi Airport route from Chandigarh on Tuesday.”Photo credit/Sarabjit: TribuneViewing the move as a step towards privatisation of the state-run transport sector, the union decided to advance its protest and launched an indefinite statewide strike from June 9 instead of waiting until later this month, he added.The employees’ unions said that during previous rounds of talks with the government, they had strongly opposed the operation of private buses under the kilometre scheme. They alleged that despite repeated assurances from the government that their concerns would be considered, the Finance Minister flagged off five Volvo buses under the scheme, prompting workers to intensify their agitation.Passengers at a bus stand in Amritsar on Wednesday. IMage credit/Tribune: Vishal KumarThey argue that instead of bringing private operators into public transport, the government should strengthen Punbus and PRTC by adding more government-owned buses and filling vacant posts. The contractual employees are also demanding regularisation of services, implementation of “equal pay for equal work,” reinstatement of dismissed employees, withdrawal of cases registered during previous protests, and improved welfare benefits for outsourced workers.PRTC workers’ union leader said they are also pressing for the release of 10 union members from Sangrur depot who are currently in jail.