Chandigarh: Punjab govt on Friday announced an 8% dearness allowance (DA) hike — bringing the total DA to 50% for its eight lakh employees and pensioners — effective Sept salary, calling it a “festive gift”.The decision was taken at a meeting between chief minister Bhagwant Mann and employee representatives, where the govt also agreed to hold mandatory monthly meetings and review other pending demands.Accepting the immediate relief, employee representatives emphasised that they would continue pursuing their pending DA and arrears claims in court, even as another round of talks with the state govt is expected in about two weeks. The move is seen as an end to the long-drawn standoff between state govt and its employees.Cabinet minister Aman Arora told mediapersons, “The bitterness has ended, marking a fresh start with broad consensus on employee demands.” He added that ongoing court cases were also discussed and expressed hope that a consensus could soon be evolved to settle the issues through dialogue.Although CM Mann was to address a news conference, he instead posted on X: “Had a very positive meeting today with employee and pensioner organisations. Employees are an important part of our family…we have immediately decided to increase the DA by 8%. Two instalments of 4 per cent each will be released to employees and pensioners, with the benefit to be reflected in their salaries from Oct 1. We will resolve every issue through mutual dialogue.”He assured that the state govt will examine various long-pending demands such as 2.59 pension multiplication factor, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and various allowances, implementation of assured career progression (ACP), issues relating to the 2015 and 2020 letters concerning the probation period, salary during the probation period, and issues concerning ASHA and Mid-Day Meal workers. CM Mann added that women employees will now be posted within 40km of their homes.Gurnam Singh Virk, convener, Sanjh Mulazam Manch, said the deadlock between the Punjab govt and employees was broken during talks held in a congenial atmosphere, but legal proceedings regarding the DA will continue in court. The next meeting with the CM is set for the first week of Oct, he said.Satish Rana, coordinator, Punjab Mulazam and Pensioners Joint Front, noted that the Aug 27 ‘Maha Hartal‘—when employees took mass casual leave— pushed the state govt to the negotiating table. He said despite the govt’s DA announcement, the matter will continue to be pursued before the high court.The state govt had previously challenged an Aug 3 Punjab and Haryana high court order directing it to clear pending DA backdated to 2016 within 15 days or face an 18% annual interest penalty. The matter is now pending before the Supreme Court.Sukhchain Singh Khaira, coordinator, joint action committee (JAC) of employees, said, “Towards the end of the meeting, the chief secretary said the CM wants to give the employees a festival gift – a 6% hike in DA. But when we pointed out that two instalments of DA work out to 8%, the CM agreed to it. Meanwhile, we will continue to pursue the matter in court.” Khaira said the next meeting of the JAC will be held on Sept 27 where the future roadmap will be decided by employees.The standoff between the state govt and employees had escalated when the govt employees’ meeting with CM Mann scheduled in Jalandhar on Aug 27 was cancelled when Mann demanded employees end their protests before talks.
