Mann announces 4% hike in DA for govt employees, says will push Centre on OPS

“Had a meeting with the representatives of PSMSU and discussed their issues in detail…Sharing the good news that we are going to give a New Year’s gift to the employees…DA is increased by 4% which will be considered effective from 1st December 2023,” Mann said on X.

After the meeting, PSMSU president Amrik Singh said the chief minister has assured that the remaining 8 per cent DA will also be given.

The PSMSU on Sunday suspended their over a month-long pen-down strike, which began on November 8, after they received the call for a meeting with the chief minister.

Aam Aadmi Party chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang said the decision will cost Rs 1,100 crore per annum to the state exchequer. He said there are 3.25 lakh employees and 3.50 lakh pensioners in the state.

The Punjab Employees and Pensioners Joint Front, however, termed the hike as an “unpleasant joke” with the employees. In a statement, the front said that the employees and pensioners of Punjab will get 38% DA while the central government or employees of the governments in the neighbouring states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chandigarh and Jammu Kashmir will get 46%.

It said that there is a complete silence on many other demands including reinstatement, payment of minimum wages to honorary workers, restoration of all deducted allowances including rural allowance and implementation of Punjab pay scale on employees recruited after July 17, 2020.

Sukhchain Singh Khaira, president of Punjab Government Employees’ Association, said that the employees had been demanding 12% pending DA. They have also been demanding implementation of old pension scheme (OPS) but the government hasn’t made any headway in this regard, he added.

Mann, however, said the state government will flag the OPS issue with the Union government. He said a meeting will be arranged with the Secretary, Finance, Government of India to further push up the case.

Mann also directed to prepare timescale for ensuring promotion channels in various departments for steno typists on the basis of seniority.

The chief minister also asked the officers to ensure that the process for filling vacant posts in ministerial services of all the departments through promotion was ensured within two months.

He also announced to set up a committee for resolution of various pending demands of the employees including restoration of ACP (assured career progression) scheme and others.

Mann assured the employees that the state government is fully committed to their well- being and concerted efforts will be made in this regard.

Mann said the state government is duty-bound to carve out a ‘Rangla Punjab’ (vibrant Punjab) for which support of every section of society is pivotal. He said the employees of the state government will also act as a catalyst for making Punjab a frontrunner in every field.