Punjab government employees get clarity on DA rules as Harpal Singh Cheema defends salaries, 42% DA and pending arrears in a press conference.
The ongoing debate over Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees intensified on Thursday, with Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema defending the government’s position and claiming that Punjab government employees are among the better-paid employees in the country.
Cheema, along with ministers Aman Arora and Baljit Kaur, addressed a press conference to explain the state government’s position on salaries, DA and pending arrears. He said that when basic pay and DA are considered together, employees in Punjab receive higher salaries than their counterparts in several other states.
Cheema Compares Punjab Salaries With Central Employees
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the pay received by clerks, drivers, stenographers, teachers and police personnel in Punjab is higher than that of employees holding corresponding positions under the Central Government.
He also claimed that Punjab government employees earn around 28% more than government employees in Gujarat. According to Cheema, Punjab’s overall salary structure places its employees among the highest-paid government workers when basic pay and DA are combined.
The minister said comparisons should be made by considering the complete salary structure rather than looking at the DA percentage alone.
DA Rose From 28% to 42%
Responding to criticism over the DA issue, Cheema said employees were receiving 28% DA when the current government assumed office. He said the allowance was subsequently increased to 34% in October, 38% in December 2023 and 42% in November 2024.
Cheema accused opposition parties of presenting misleading information about the DA and said the state government had been working to clear outstanding payments.
The minister maintained that a higher DA percentage announced by another government does not necessarily mean Punjab has to follow exactly the same structure.
₹14,191 Crore Arrears From 2016 to 2021
The Finance Minister said around ₹14,191 crore in employee and pensioner arrears relates to the period from 2016 to 2021, when previous governments were in power.
According to Cheema, the present government has already released approximately ₹4,500 crore towards these pending dues to employees and pensioners. He also said the government submitted a liquidation plan before the High Court, which was accepted.
Cheema argued that although the previous government had announced DA implementation and arrears payments in 2021, a significant portion of the dues remained unpaid when it left office.
Punjab Spends 51% of Revenue on Employees and Pensioners
Cheema further claimed that Punjab spends nearly 51% of its total revenue on salaries and pensions. He compared this with an estimated average of around 38% for other states.
The Finance Minister said that after combining basic pay with DA, the salaries of Punjab government employees are higher than those of corresponding employees in Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.
He said the financial burden of salaries and pensions needs to be viewed alongside the state’s overall fiscal responsibilities.
Government Explains Its DA Rules
Cabinet Minister Baljit Kaur said the salaries, pensions and DA of state employees are governed by the Punjab Civil Services Revised Pay Rules, 2021.
She explained that these rules do not automatically require Punjab to adopt the Central Government’s DA rate or follow a fixed formula linked to the Central Government’s index.
According to Kaur, the state has the administrative authority to determine the quantum and timing of DA payments under its own service rules.
Employees Approach High Court Again
The DA dispute has also reached the courts. After the Punjab Government challenged a High Court decision before the Supreme Court, employees have filed another petition before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The matter is scheduled for a hearing on Thursday. The legal proceedings could play an important role in determining the next course of action on the employees’ demands.
Cheema said the government was presenting its version of the facts amid what he described as misleading claims by opposition leaders. He also questioned allegations that the government’s position was inconsistent with Article 14 of the Constitution.
Aman Arora Calls for Dialogue
Minister Aman Arora described government employees as an important part of the administration and urged them to resolve the DA dispute through discussions with the government.
Arora said employees have legitimate concerns, but appealed to them not to rely on what he termed politically motivated claims. He emphasized that the government also has a responsibility towards the wider population of Punjab.
Arora reiterated that Punjab government employees are currently receiving 42% DA and said a higher DA rate at the Centre does not automatically make the same rate applicable to Punjab.
The government has therefore maintained that Punjab government employees should discuss their demands directly with the state administration. The issue is likely to remain in focus as the court proceedings and discussions between employee representatives and the government continue.
For More Hindi News: http://newz24india.com