Punjab government employees and pensioners will receive an 8% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA), taking the total DA rate to 50%. The decision was announced on September 18 following a meeting in Chandigarh between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and representatives of employee and pensioner organisations.
The additional DA will be released in two instalments of 4% each. According to Punjab government figures reported after the meeting, the move will add around ₹248 crore per month to the state exchequer and require an additional ₹1,750 crore over the remaining seven months of the current financial year.
The enhanced DA is to be reflected from the September salary payable in October, according to the announcement.
DA Hike and Other Employee Issues Discussed
Punjab minister Aman Arora said the meeting also focused on resolving outstanding disputes through dialogue. Several matters involving the government and employees are currently before courts, and discussions were held on finding ways to address such issues.
Employee organisations have also raised concerns regarding the pay scales applicable to employees recruited after July 17, 2020. They have sought extension of Punjab pay scales to employees who were recruited under the central pay scale. The government has agreed to examine the matter.
Another meeting with employee representatives is expected in the coming weeks to discuss the remaining demands.
Old Pension Scheme and ₹200 Professional Tax
The restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) remains one of the major demands raised by employee organisations. The government is examining the issue, while unions continue to seek action on their demand.
Employees have also called for the removal of the ₹200 monthly professional tax. The issue was among the matters discussed during the talks between the government and employee representatives.
The employee side has also raised concerns regarding the salary structure during the probation period, including the existing ₹17,000 and ₹19,000 pay brackets.
Demands of Contractual and Other Employees
Employee unions have sought full salary and applicable allowances for temporary staff instead of limiting their payments to basic pay.
Computer teachers have also demanded that they be formally integrated into their respective departments after regularisation. The government has indicated that these matters will be examined.
The compensation of mid-day meal workers was another issue raised during the discussions. Union representatives said the current monthly payment of ₹3,000 is inadequate and sought an improvement in their remuneration.
What Employee Unions Said After the Meeting
Satish Rana, convener of the Sanjha Mulajim Front, said the DA matter had been under consideration in court and that the government had now agreed to provide the 8% increase.
The unions have said that other outstanding demands will continue to be pursued through the appropriate process. According to union leaders, the next meeting with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected in the first week of October.
The latest decision raises the DA rate for Punjab government employees and pensioners from 42% to 50%, with the two 4% instalments forming the announced 8% increase.