Chandigarh, Sept. 24, 2025: Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that pensions for retired employees of the state’s zila parishads and panchayat samitis will now be directly credited to their bank accounts, ensuring faster and more secure disbursement.
The minister also approved the release of pending arrears in four instalments, in line with the finance department’s policy. Officials said the decision will benefit over 3,000 pensioners and aligns with the cabinet’s February approval to release arrears worth ₹14,000 crore to government employees and retirees.
The pending amounts include revised pay, pensions, and leave encashment from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2022, along with dearness allowance for the period July 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024. The phased release, Cheema noted, is aimed at providing financial relief and stability to employees and pensioners across the state.
“The direct credit of pensions will make the process faster and reduce delays, while the instalment-wise release of arrears ensures that retirees receive their due in an organised manner,” Cheema said.
Officials said the move underscores the government’s commitment to improving financial services for public employees and streamlining benefits for those who have served the state.
