EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.VINAY KOCHHAR/CHANDIGARH.
Amidst the ongoing DA dispute between the Punjab government and employees, the Mann government has made a new offer to employees. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Thursday claimed that the Punjab government is ready to pay state employees the same salary plus DA as central government employees. He said that instead of simply copying the central government’s DA percentage, the Punjab government is ready to align the overall pay package with the central government.
The Finance Minister claimed that Punjab spends 51% of its revenue on salaries and pensions, the highest among major states. Furthermore, Punjab employees’ salaries are higher than those of neighboring states like Haryana, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Finance Minister Cheema stated that the government has developed a liquidation plan to pay DA dues. Under this plan, the DA dues are being paid in installments and will continue to be paid in a phased manner.
Ministers Aman Arora and Dr. Baljeet Kaur stated that this outstanding amount dates back to the tenures of the SAD-BJP coalition and the Congress, and the Aam Aadmi Party government is paying it back by increasing the DA rate. Therefore, employees should cooperate with the government, as they are considered the backbone of the administrative system. They should not be misled by opposition parties. The government is ready to hold talks with employees again.
The Punjab government has prepared a liquidation plan to pay the DA/DR dues of approximately ₹14,191 crore owed to employees and pensioners under the Sixth Pay Commission. Instead of paying the entire amount in one lump sum, the government has proposed paying the amount in phases over five financial years (2024-25 to 2028-29). The Finance Minister claims that the outstanding amount is being paid through monthly installments.
Under this plan, different installments were provided for pensioners based on their age. Payments have been structured to be made in two monthly installments for those over 85, twelve for those between 75 and 85, and 42 for those under 75. Approximately ₹4,500 crore (approximately $4.5 billion) of dues have been paid so far. However, the Punjab and Haryana High Court cancelled this liquidation plan in August 2026 and ordered the full payment of dues within 14 days. The Punjab government has filed a special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court against this.
Difference in Central and Punjab Salaries and DA
- Clerks in Punjab currently receive a take-home pay of ₹54,812 at the rate of 42 percent DA, while clerks under the Central government receive ₹36,960 with 60 percent DA.
- Similarly, drivers in Punjab receive a salary of ₹40,612, while drivers under the Central government receive ₹36,960.
- The salary of a stenographer in Punjab is ₹56,374, while that of the central government is ₹47,360.
- An ETT teacher in Punjab earns ₹67,592, while that of the central government is ₹65,760.
- A police constable in Punjab earns ₹54,812, while that of the central government is ₹36,960.
- If the government grants 60 percent DA to Punjab employees on the same lines as the central government, their salaries will increase further.
Employees’ Tough Stance
Sukhchain Singh Khaira, coordinator of the Joint Action Committee of various Punjab employees’ organizations fighting for their pending DA, and other leaders, said that the employees are not misled in any way. They said that the High Court has already cancelled the Punjab government’s liquidation plan and ordered the payment of the pending DA. Despite this, the Punjab government has filed a Special Appeal (SLP) in the Supreme Court.
Employee leaders said that despite the employees taking mass leave as part of the agitation, action notices are being issued against them for unauthorized leave. They said that until the government implements the High Court order and withdraws the petition and action notices from the Supreme Court, the employees are not ready for anything.###USA###UK###CANADA###PUNJAB###EMPLOYEES###AUSTRALIA###NEWZEALAND###SINGAPORE###