Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab government is set to provide a major relief to around 85,000 newly recruited employees, with a proposal to increase their Dearness Allowance (DA) from the existing 42% to 60%, on the lines of the Central Government.
Cabinet Minister Aman Arora announced the proposal at a press conference in Chandigarh on Friday. He said the state has historically followed two different pay scales, which has remained a source of contention among employees.
Arora said Punjab's basic pay scale is generally 30% to 70% higher than the Central pay scale. Once DA is added, the difference becomes even wider.
He said that on July 17, 2020, the then Congress government had decided that employees recruited thereafter would be placed on the Central Government pay scale instead of the Punjab pay scale.
According to Arora, the present government has provided jobs to around 71,000 people, while the total number of employees recruited under the Central pay scale has reached nearly 85,000.
Minister said the proposed move would allow these employees to receive 60% DA instead of the current 42%, bringing their DA in line with the Central Government. The Cabinet Committee will forward the proposal to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who will take the final decision.
The announcement comes amid an ongoing dispute between Punjab government employees and the state over pending DA payments. Employees and pensioners have been demanding clearance of DA arrears accumulated over several years.
Punjab and Haryana High Court had also directed the state government to pay ₹14,191 crore in outstanding dues within 15 days. The Punjab government has challenged the order before the Supreme Court.
