Punjab government hikes DA of employees and pensioners by 3 percent

The Punjab government has announced a further 3 percent hike in the dearness allowance (DA) of state government employees and pensioners. With this hike, the total dearness allowance has reached 53 percent.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann shared this information during a press conference at his residence in Chandigarh. He stated that this decision by the government will benefit around eight lakh government employees and pensioners of Punjab. Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha was also present during the press conference.

The Chief Minister stated that this hike will be effective from the month of November and will be added to the salary and pension to be received in December. He said that with this 3 percent hike alone, employees and pensioners will get a financial benefit of around Rs 363 crore.

According to Bhagwant Mann, an 8 percent hike was earlier made by the government through two installments of 4 percent each. Now, with this 3 percent hike, the total hike comes to 11 percent, which will put an annual financial burden of around Rs 4,000 crore on the state government.

The Chief Minister said that when the current government was formed in 2022, employees were getting 28 percent DA, and a total increase of 25 percent has been recorded so far. Calling employees the backbone of the administration, he said that their contribution in delivering government services to the people is vital.

Key developments

• Total DA becomes 53 percent with a 3 percent hike in dearness allowance.
• Around 8 lakh employees and pensioners of the state will get the benefit.
• Hike to be effective from November, to be received in December salaries and pensions.
• Employees will get a financial benefit of approximately Rs 363 crore with this latest hike.