Chandigarh: A Punjab government cabinet sub-committee has recommended increasing the dearness allowance (DA) for around 85,000 employees from the existing 42% to 60%, amid the ongoing dispute between state employees and the government over pending DA dues.
AAP Punjab president and cabinet minister Aman Arora announced the recommendation on Friday. The proposal is now expected to be placed before Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for final approval.
The employees covered under the recommendation were recruited after July 17, 2020, on the basis of central pay scales. These scales are lower than those applicable to employees recruited before July 2020 under the state pay structure based on recommendations of the Sixth Punjab Pay Commission.
71,000 AAP-era employees, 14,000 from previous government
Arora said the proposed DA increase would benefit around 71,000 employees recruited during the AAP government as well as nearly 14,000 employees recruited during the previous Congress government.
The cabinet sub-committee comprises Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Aman Arora and Dr Baljit Kaur.
The recommendation will now go to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. If approved, the government will proceed with implementing the proposed increase.
