CHANDIGARH: 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 held here 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.After the meeting, Gurnam Singh Virk, president of Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, said the enhanced DA will be given from October 1.He said, regarding various other issues, the government has also assured them that these will be discussed soon.The deadlock began August 27 when over three lakh government employees went on a statewide strike by availing mass casual leave, pressing the state government to accept their various demands, including release of their pending 18 per cent Dearness Allowance.An official statement quoting Bhagwant Mann said the move reflects his government’s commitment to the welfare and dignity of employees, whom he described as the backbone of the state’s administrative machinery.The chief minister also announced compulsory monthly meetings with employee representatives to address genuine issues, postings for women employees within 40 kilometres of their homes, and highlighting that around 70,000 government jobs have been provided through a transparent and corruption-free process.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.Mann met representatives of employees and pensioners, heard their concerns, it said.After the meeting, Mann stated 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.Emphasising that the welfare, dignity and legitimate concerns of government employees remain a priority for his government, Mann said, “As per the decision, two instalments of 4 per cent each will be released to employees and pensioners, with the benefit to be reflected in their salaries from October 1. Ahead of the festive season, this decision will provide additional financial support to thousands of government employees and pensioners and their families.“The chief minister said, “The government understands the responsibilities shouldered by its employees and the pressures they face in their personal and professional lives.”“A happy employee is a productive employee and I believe that when an employee works with satisfaction, dignity and peace of mind, the entire system performs better and the people receive better services…”.“The state government has an open mind towards the genuine demands of employees and pensioners and these issues will be examined sympathetically and in accordance with the applicable rules, financial implications and legal position.”He said the government will examine various long-pending demands, including “the demand for a 2.59 pension multiplication factor, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), restoration of various allowances, implementation of Assured Career Progression (ACP), issues relating to the 2015 and 2020 letters concerning the probation period, generalization of court decisions and others.”“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.
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Notably, earlier, the employees had remained adamant on their demand for clearance of DA arrears as per directions of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.The Punjab government had moved the Supreme Court challenging the High Court order directing it to release all pending DA and dearness relief dues to state employees and pensioners within a fortnight, contending that the direction to pay arrears totalling around Rs 14,191 crore in such a short period was impossible.
