Committee convenor Ranbir Dhillon said the rally was in view of the "flat refusal to accept the employees demands" by Chief Secretary Punjab, R.S.Mann. An eight- member deputation of the committee was told that the employees can neither be allowed Dearness Allowance instalments of January and July 1999, nor the two-year bonus as the government was facing paucity of funds. Consequently the committee has planned to mobilise its about seven lakh Punjab Government and semi-government employees.