Ending a prolonged standoff with state employees, the Bhagwant Mann government on Friday announced relief for around eight lakh employees and pensioners, increasing the Dearness Allowance (DA) by 8 per cent.
The decision followed a meeting in Chandigarh between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and representatives of employee and pensioners' organisations. Ministers Aman Arora and Baljeet Kaur, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, Secretary General Administration KK Yadav and others were also present.
Gurnam Singh Virk, president of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, said the enhanced DA will be given from October 1. He added that the government had also assured employees that their other concerns would be discussed soon.
Mann said the increase would be released in two instalments of 4 per cent each, with the benefit reflected in salaries from October 1.
Government, employees end strike deadlock
The standoff began on August 27, when more than three lakh government employees went on a statewide strike by taking mass casual leave. They were seeking action on several demands, including the release of their pending 18 per cent DA.
After Friday's meeting, Mann said on X: "Had a very positive meeting today with employee and pensioner organisations. Employees are an important part of our family, and keeping their welfare in mind, we have immediately decided to increase the Dearness Allowance (DA) by 8 per cent. This increase will start reflecting with the October salary".
"We also discussed long-pending issues inherited from previous governments, including the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), salary during the probation period, and issues concerning ASHA and Mid-Day Meal workers. We will meet again in the first week of October to work towards a permanent resolution of these longstanding issues.
"There is no distance between our government and employees. We will resolve every issue through mutual dialogue. We will continue to work together for Punjab's progress," he said.
Monthly meetings, posting relief for women
Mann also announced compulsory monthly meetings with employee representatives to discuss their concerns. The government will also provide postings for women employees within 40 kilometres of their homes.
"Women employees should not have to choose between their career and their family responsibilities. The state government will ensure that the system remains sensitive to their genuine needs," he said.
The Chief Minister also highlighted that around 70,000 government jobs had been provided through what he described as a transparent and corruption-free process.
OPS, pension demands remain unresolved
Several long-pending demands are still under consideration, including restoration of the OPS, a 2.59 pension multiplication factor, restoration of allowances and implementation of Assured Career Progression (ACP).
Mann said, "No genuine issue concerning employees is being ignored and the government will examine each matter with an open and sympathetic approach. Employee welfare cannot be treated as a one-time exercise and requires continuous dialogue between the government and its workforce," he said.
Employees had earlier also sought clearance of DA arrears following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The Punjab government has challenged the High Court order in the Supreme Court, arguing that paying pending DA and dearness relief dues of around Rs 14,191 crore within a fortnight was not feasible.