Chandigarh: The Punjab government has announced an eight percent increase in Dearness Allowance for nearly eight lakh state employees and pensioners, bringing the total DA rate to fifty percent. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann affirmed that the revised allowance will take effect with the September salary, offering timely financial relief to public sector personnel and retirees across the state. The decision was finalized following direct discussions between state leadership and representatives from various employee and pensioner organizations. Cabinet Ministers Aman Arora and Dr. Baljeet Kaur, alongside Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, attended the consultative meeting in Chandigarh.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann declared that civil servants serve as the backbone of the state’s administrative machinery, playing a crucial role in delivering public services and implementing welfare programs. He maintained that the government remains committed to maintaining fiscal discipline while prioritizing the dignity and legitimate concerns of its workforce. Beyond the financial announcement, the Chief Minister outlined administrative measures to support staff, including a policy decision to ensure postings for female employees within forty kilometers of their residences to help balance professional and family obligations. He further noted that over seventy thousand government appointments have been completed through merit-based procedures during the current term.
To maintain structured channels of communication, the state administration will establish mandatory monthly meetings with employee representatives to address pending administrative matters. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann stated that pending demands, including matters concerning the Old Pension Scheme, probation period salary structures, and allowances for ASHA and Mid-Day Meal workers, will be examined sympathetically during follow-up reviews in October.
