Punjab Bandh today: see what will remain shut

Here’s a list of services and places that may be affected due to the state-wide bandh:

Educational institutions

Most of the schools in Punjab are observing winter vacations while the colleges affiliated with Panjab University have postponed their Monday exams to Tuesday. A circular was issued in this regard by the Panjab University on Saturday and sent to all its affiliated colleges. Following this, the Guru Nanak Dev University ( GNDU), Amritsar also issued a circular within its campus and to its affiliated colleges, stating that the UG exams scheduled on December 30th will now be held on January 12, 2025.

Fruits and vegetable mandis

Mandis selling fruits and vegetables are expected to be affected because truckers have extended their support to the bandh. So, there will be no fresh supply at the mandis before 4 pm on Monday.

Milk vendors

Milk vendors have also preferred to stay off the roads as the bandh call is from 7 am to 4 pm and it is not practically possible for the vendors to distribute milk and go back home by 7 am amid the harsh winter.

Transport services

“Extending solidarity with farmers, the transport association has decided to resume services after 4 pm on Monday,” said J P Aggarwal, President, Ludhiana Transport Dealers Association. A similar call has been given by the State Transport Dealers Association. Private and public buses will remain off roads as there will be chakka jams by farmer unions at over 200 spots on highways and link roads. KMM and SKM (non-political) leaders have also stated that they will block railway tracks in 50 locations.

Petrol pumps and LPG cylinder delivery

Ashok Sachdeva, Chairman, Punjab Petrol Pump Dealers Association, said, “We are with the farmer unions morally, but ours is an emergency service. Fuel stations will try to remain open as people may have emergency requirements.” The delivery of LPG cylinders might be hit owing to the transport strike.

Beopar Mandal

Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, however, has no plans to close the markets. Amit Kapoor, President, Punjab Pradesh Beopar Mandal, said, “We support farmers’ demands but, as of now, we have not given any call to close the markets.”

Anil Bansal, Vice-President, Beopar Mandal, said, “Already, Punjab is suffering due to a decline in business. So, we can’t afford to close the markets. However, the decision to keep the markets shut can be taken at the local level.”

Meanwhile, sources said markets in many areas like Rajpura, Sangrur, Mansa, and Moga, among others, will remain closed till 4 pm on Monday. Markets close to areas affected by chakka jams will also remain closed.

Government offices

Pipal Singh, President, Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, said, “We support the cause of farmers. But there is no call to stay off duty on Monday.”

However, employee strength is expected to be lower than usual as outstation employees are unlikely to reach offices on Monday morning.

Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee

Harjinder Singh Dhami, President, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has extended support to the bandh. In a press statement, he announced that all SGPC offices will remain closed in Punjab on Monday.

What will be open

Medical services will remain functional. “Baratis will also not be stopped,” said Sarwan Singh Pandher, Coordinator, KMM and SKM non-political.

Langar

Local gurdwaras in Muktsar, Sangrur, Bathinda, Patiala, Moga, Ludhiana, Amritsar, and Gurdaspur districts have decided to provide langar at the dharna spots on Monday

Call for other states

A call has been given for other states including neighbouring Haryana to participate in the bandh.