The North News
Chandigarh, October 1
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday announced that Group D employees of the state government will receive an interest-free advance of ₹10,000 each to mark the upcoming festival season. The initiative is expected to benefit nearly 35,894 employees. Cheema said the scheme underlined the government’s commitment to supporting its workforce.
During the financial year 2024–25, about 13,375 of the state’s 36,065 Group D employees availed the advance, at a cost of ₹13.37 crore. If all eligible employees apply this year, the projected expenditure would reach ₹35.89 crore, he said. The minister added that an initial budget provision of ₹20 crore had been made for 2025–26. Should the demand exceed this, additional funds would be arranged through revised estimates. Cheema said the treasury will begin disbursing the advance by 17 October, ahead of the Diwali festival on 20 October. The repayment will be deducted in five equal instalments starting from the November 2025 salary.
