Employees reject 3pc DA hike, announce state-wide agitation from Nov 13
Rejecting the 3 percent dearness allowance announced by the Punjab government, employee and pensioner unions have decided to launch a month-long agitation starting November 13.
Employee unions have rejected the 3 percent dearness allowance (DA) hike announced by the Punjab government for employees and pensioners on the occasion of Diwali. The Sanjha Mulazim Manch and the Joint Coordination Committee of Pensioners have announced a state-wide protest campaign against the government starting November 13.
Terming the government's move as merely releasing withheld allowance, employee leaders said that calling it a 'gift' is wrong. According to the unions, they will urge people to vote against the Aam Aadmi Party in the 2027 assembly elections.
According to the announced program, a sit-in protest will be held in Chief Minister's home district Sangrur from November 13 to November 19. Following this, effigies of AAP MLAs will be burnt from December 1 to December 5, and their ashes will be immersed in the Buddha Nullah in Ludhiana.
As part of the agitation, a human chain will be formed from Shambhu Border to Attari Border near Amritsar on December 13. In addition, a mahapanchayat will be held by taking along various sections of society.
Joint Action Committee coordinator Sukhchain Singh Khaira alleged that the government is spreading false information about employees' salaries. He said that MLAs' pensions and allowances have been increased manifold, while 37 allowances of employees have been stopped and the promise of restoring the old pension remains unfulfilled.
Employee leaders also raised objections that central service officers posted in the state are getting allowances at central rates, while Punjab employees are being given a lower rate. They demanded regularisation of contractual workers, acceptance of demands of Anganwadi, Asha and mid-day meal workers, and reinstatement of dismissed computer teachers.
Key developments
- Employee unions rejected the 3pc DA hike and announced a month-long agitation from November 13.
- A sit-in will be held in Sangrur from November 13 to 19 and MLA effigies will be burnt from December 1 to 5.
- A human chain is planned from Shambhu Border to Attari Border on December 13.
