Ludhiana, Aug. 12 -- Nearly 1,320 employees of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Limited (PSTCL) in Ludhiana district went on a three-day mass leave protest from Monday, crippling routine power supply operations and leaving the system under severe strain.

Several routine services including repairing faulty equipment, installing transformers and electricity cables, providing new meter connections, replacing burnt or damaged meters, and extending loads have come to a complete standstill, officials said.

The workers, being led by multiple unions, are demanding release of 13% pending dearness allowance, restoration of the old pension scheme, rectification of pay and pension anomalies, r...