Agartala, 1st October 2026 : A group of DRB workers staged a protest at IGM Hospital in Agartala on Thursday, alleging that they have been working for years without a permanent solution to their employment-related issues and are now facing uncertainty over the Durga Puja advance.
The protesting workers claimed that the government has provided Puja advances in some years but withheld them in others. They alleged that this year too, indications suggest that the advance may not be released for DRB employees.
Speaking during the protest, worker Anima Mukherjee said there are around 416 DRB workers in the state. She said employees had received an advance of Rs 20,000 during Durga Puja last year, but they have now been informed that the benefit may not be available this year.
The workers said they approached the Medical Superintendent of IGM Hospital seeking clarification, but did not receive a satisfactory response.
The protesters demanded that the Durga Puja advance be released immediately, saying the money is important for purchasing clothes and other essentials for their children ahead of the festival.
They warned that if their demand is not addressed, they would intensify their protest and stage a sit-in at the office of the concerned authority.
The workers also reiterated their longstanding demand for a permanent resolution to their employment-related concerns.
