CM Bhagwant Mann says government will also examine OPS, ACP and other long-pending demands

Chandigarh, 18 September (H.S.): The Punjab Government on Friday announced an 8 per cent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners following a meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and representatives of employee and pensioner organisations. The increase will be released in two instalments of four percentage points each, taking the total DA to 50 per cent.

The decision came after weeks of protests by employee organisations seeking release of pending DA instalments, arrears and resolution of other service-related demands. The revised benefit is to begin with the salary cycle from October, though reports differ on whether the first 4 per cent component is being counted with the September salary payable in October.

After the meeting, Mann said government employees were an important part of the state administration and their genuine concerns would be addressed through dialogue. He announced that meetings with employee representatives would now be held every month so that pending grievances could be taken up regularly.

The Chief Minister said the government would examine several long-standing demands, including restoration of the Old Pension Scheme, the 2.59 pension multiplication factor, Assured Career Progression, restoration of allowances and issues concerning probation-period salary. He said another meeting would be held in the first week of October to discuss these matters further.

Mann also said the government was sensitive to difficulties faced by women employees and would seek to provide them postings within 40 kilometres of their homes, subject to administrative requirements. He argued that such measures could help employees balance professional and family responsibilities.

Highlighting recruitment under his government, Mann claimed that around 70,000 government jobs had been provided through a merit-based and transparent process. This figure was presented by the Chief Minister as part of the government’s employment record.

He also said employee welfare would have to be balanced with Punjab’s financial position. According to the government, the latest DA increase will place an additional burden on the state exchequer while providing financial relief to employees and pensioners ahead of the festive season. The Indian Express reported that the eight-per-cent hike would cost about ₹1,750 crore over the remaining seven months of the financial year.

Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora and Dr Baljit Kaur, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, senior officials and representatives of employee organisations were present during the discussions.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH