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Chandigarh, September 18
The Punjab government has increased Dearness Allowance (DA) by 8 percent for around eight lakh government employees and pensioners, with the revised benefit set to be reflected in salaries from October 1. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Friday announced the decision after meeting representatives of employee and pensioner organisations and hearing their concerns
The DA increase will be released in two installments of 4 percent each, Mann said. The decision comes ahead of the festive season and will provide additional financial support to employees, pensioners and their families, he added. Chief Minister Mann also announced compulsory monthly meetings with employee representatives to discuss their concerns and work towards resolving long-pending issues through dialogue.
In a post on X after the meeting, Mann said the government had also discussed demands including restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), salary issues during the probation period and concerns of ASHA and Mid-Day Meal workers.He said the government would hold another meeting with employee representatives in the first week of October to work towards resolving the issues.
“Government employees are not merely a part of the administrative system but are its backbone,” Mann said, adding that their work in delivering essential services, implementing welfare schemes and running day-to-day administration was crucial to public services.
Mann said the government understood the responsibilities and pressures faced by its employees and their families.
“A happy employee is a productive employee,” he said, adding that employees who worked with satisfaction, dignity and peace of mind would help improve the functioning of the administration and delivery of services to the public.
Dr Kiran Deep
