- Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema says ₹15 crore allocated; loan to be repaid in 8 easy monthly installments from June salary
Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
The Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has approved an interest-free wheat loan for Class-IV (Group-D) employees for the financial year 2026–27, aiming to provide financial relief for essential household needs.
Announcing the decision, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said that each eligible employee will receive a minimum loan of ₹10,340, calculated on the basis of an average annual consumption of four quintals of wheat per family.
He further informed that a total budget of ₹15 crore has been allocated for the scheme.
“The employees will be allowed to withdraw the loan amount from the treasury till May 29, 2026,” Cheema said, adding that the initiative is designed to ensure timely support for basic necessities.
Explaining the repayment plan, the Finance Minister said the loan will be recovered in eight equal monthly installments, starting from the salary of June (paid in July), and will be fully repaid within the current financial year.
“The installment structure has been designed in a way that it does not put additional financial burden on employees,” he added.
Reiterating the government’s focus on employee welfare, Cheema said the administration remains committed to introducing policies that ensure financial security and support for government staff.