Ludhiana, Aug. 15 -- After four days of disruptions, Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) employees on Thursday called off their strike following a meeting with power minister Harbhajan Singh ETO.

Addressing the media, Harbhajan Singh said talks were held with the PSEB Employees Joint Forum and Bijli Mulazam Ekta Manch ahead of Independence Day. "Since electricity is an essential service, we agreed on certain demands and assured their implementation in the coming days. Following this mutual agreement, the mass leave protest has been withdrawn," he said.

The strike, which began on August 11, was backed by 16 electricity workers' unions. Union leaders accused the government of delaying a circular for 25 demands that were "accept...