Punjab Government Announces Major DA Hike Before Festive Season
While central government employees are still waiting for the second DA hike of the year, state governments have started rolling out festive gifts. The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has announced an 8-percent increase in dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) for its state government employees and pensioners. This major decision brings relief to nearly eight lakh employees and retired personnel across the state just ahead of the festive season.
With this 8% hike, the total DA will touch the 50 percent mark. The revised rates will come into effect from the first day of next month, October 1. However, the disbursement will be made in two equal installments of four percent each. Employee unions had been staging protests for a long time, demanding the clearance of pending allowances and other service-related issues, which eventually prompted the state government to take this step.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Meeting with Employee Representatives
The announcement follows a high-level meeting held last Friday, September 18, where Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann met with representatives of various employee and pensioner organizations in Chandigarh. During the meeting, various service matters were discussed in detail, culminating in the decision to enhance the DA by 8 percent. Gurnam Singh Virk, President of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, confirmed the development and stated that the government has also assured discussions on other pending demands.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized that the hike will provide additional financial support to employees and their families during the festive period. He reiterated that his administration remains committed to addressing the genuine demands of its workforce within the framework of financial viability and established rules.
The Ongoing Controversy Over Pending Arrears
Despite the positive announcement of the DA hike, a major dispute involving ₹14,191 crore in employee and pensioner arrears remains unresolved. Employee associations have been demanding strict compliance with a Punjab and Haryana High Court directive ordering the government to clear the dues within two weeks. In response, the state government has challenged the order in the Supreme Court, citing severe economic constraints that make such a massive payout unfeasible in a short span.
