GUJRAT: The services at the Arazi Record Centres mostly remained suspended on Saturday across the province against the sacking of at least 21 employees of Punjab land Record Authority.

However, some of the ARCs remained partially functional in Gujranwala district and Faisalabad city where the staff resumed services after observing two to three hours token strike.

The Friday’s sacking of the PLRA officials who had played an active role in the two-week long strike and sit-in by the field staff union in early November, sent a wave of shock and anger among the employees across the province who lodged a strong protest by suspending the services at the ARCs.

Service of at least eight service centre heads and 13 other officials were terminated on charges of participating in the last month’s agitation and being absent from the duty. Because of efforts of the district administration most of the staff remained present at the ARCs, but did not provide services to the visitors.

In Gujrat city, DC Dr Khurram Shahzad, after failing to convince the staff to resume services at the ARC, had deputed revenue officials to provide services to the visitors. He had also issued show-cause notices to three senior officials for being absent from the duty.

Meanwhile, the Arazi Record Centers Union Punjab on Saturday decided to resume the services at the ARCs on Monday.

However, the union office-bearers vowed to move court to get reinstated their suspended colleagues. They also decided to approach the Punjab government for th purpose.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2019