‘CM Mann to decide on proposed DA hike for 85,000 govt employees’

Chandigarh, September 4

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann will take the final decision on a proposed revision of dearness allowance (DA) for thousands of state government employees after receiving recommendations from a Cabinet sub-committee, Industries Minister Aman Arora has said. According to the proposed revision, around 85,000 Punjab government employees recruited after July 17, 2020, could benefit from an increase in DA from the existing 42 pc to 60 pc, subject to the Chief Minister’s approval.

The Cabinet sub-committee has examined the grievances of government employees and made recommendations to the Chief Minister, Arora said on Friday. “Our job as a Cabinet sub-committee is to make a recommendation to the Chief Minister. The final decision will be taken by the Chief Minister,” he said.

The Cabinet sub-committee examining employees’ concerns includes Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Social Security Minister Dr Baljit Kaur and Aman Arora. Arora said the Aam Aadmi Party government, led by Bhagwant Mann, had been working for the welfare of different sections of society and described the committee’s recommendation as an important step towards addressing employees’ concerns.

The final decision on the DA revision will now rest with the Chief Minister.