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Lockdown of 544 Punjab Service Centres Halts Work, Operators to Protest in Chandigarh
✍️ Amar Ujala · Punjab
🗓 30 Oct 2026, 09:31 AM
👁 12
Work at 544 service centres across Punjab has been suspended after locks were placed, leaving citizens stranded. Operators plan a rally in Chandigarh today to demand reopening.
A sudden lockdown of 544 government service centres across Punjab has brought routine public services to a standstill. The centres, which handle everything from document verification to utility bill payments, were sealed with locks early this week, causing queues and delays for thousands of residents.
Citizens reported being unable to access essential services such as passport applications, land record updates, and pension disbursements. Local businesses that rely on these centres for paperwork have also felt the impact, citing lost productivity and mounting customer complaints.
In response, staff and contractors operating the centres announced a coordinated protest in Chandigarh. They intend to gather today to press the authorities for an immediate reopening and to address grievances over the unexplained shutdown.
Government officials have not yet issued a detailed explanation for the lockout, but they acknowledge the inconvenience and have promised to review the situation after the protest.
The disruption highlights the vulnerability of public service delivery in the state and raises questions about contingency planning for essential citizen services.
Citizens reported being unable to access essential services such as passport applications, land record updates, and pension disbursements. Local businesses that rely on these centres for paperwork have also felt the impact, citing lost productivity and mounting customer complaints.
In response, staff and contractors operating the centres announced a coordinated protest in Chandigarh. They intend to gather today to press the authorities for an immediate reopening and to address grievances over the unexplained shutdown.
Government officials have not yet issued a detailed explanation for the lockout, but they acknowledge the inconvenience and have promised to review the situation after the protest.
The disruption highlights the vulnerability of public service delivery in the state and raises questions about contingency planning for essential citizen services.