Chandigarh, Sept 18: The state government has announced a financial package worth two hundred fifty crore rupees for its four lakh serving personnel and three and a half lakh pensioners by enhancing the dearness allowance by eight percent. The decision resolves a month-long standoff following a ninety-minute consensus meeting led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and state union delegations.
State unit chief Aman Arora affirmed that the enhanced allowance will take effect with the September salary payable on October 1. He declared that the administrative decision reflects a goodwill measure designed to reach an amicable understanding, noting that both sides agreed to resolve matters cooperatively to move state development forward. Social Security Minister Baljit Kaur accompanied senior representatives and leaders from twelve employee unions during the announcement.
Welcoming the government initiative, Punjab State Ministerial Services Union President Gurnam Singh Virk and employee representative Satish Rana confirmed that normal work schedules have resumed. Union representatives stated that administrative leaders assured them that secondary demands—including discussions on the Old Pension Scheme, uniform pay structures for post-2020 recruits, and probation period compensations—will be examined on priority during follow-up meetings scheduled within two weeks.
