2 hrs ago
Bajwa Questions Punjab Government Over Pending Employee DA Arrears
Government employees and pensioners in Punjab say they have not received all of their dearness allowance, or DA.
DA is extra money meant to help workers manage rising costs.
Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa criticized the Punjab government over the unpaid money.
He said more than seven lakh people are waiting for Rs 14,191 crore.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court told the government to pay the dues within two weeks.
The government has challenged that order in the Supreme Court.
It says paying the money in such a short time is constitutionally impossible.
Employees are also asking for the Old Pension Scheme and permanent jobs for contractual workers.
They held a statewide protest by taking mass casual leave on August 27.
Partap Singh Bajwa accused the Punjab government of withholding dearness allowance arrears from employees and pensioners.
Bajwa said more than seven lakh employees and pensioners are awaiting Rs 14,191 crore in pending DA arrears.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the state to release pending DA dues within a fortnight.
The Punjab government challenged that ruling in the Supreme Court, calling the payment timeline constitutionally impossible.
Employees are also seeking 18 per cent pending DA, the Old Pension Scheme, and regularisation of contractual staff.
- Who
- Punjab government employees and pensioners, Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa, and the Punjab government.
- What
- A dispute over pending dearness allowance arrears and other employee demands.
- Where
- Punjab, with Bajwa speaking in Chandigarh; the case involves the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court.
- When
- Bajwa addressed the media on Wednesday, September 2; the High Court judgment was dated August 3, and employees took mass casual leave on August 27.
- Why
- Employees are seeking payment of pending DA arrears, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, and regularisation of contractual employees.
Bajwa and Employee Groups
Punjab Government
Payment of DA arrears
Bajwa and Employee Groups
Bajwa said employees and pensioners are being deprived of their rights and asked why the government has not released the pending DA.
Punjab Government
The government has challenged the High Court’s direction to release the dues within a fortnight.
Ability to pay
Bajwa and Employee Groups
Bajwa questioned why the government presents a positive picture of its finances while spending on advertisements and events instead of paying employees.
Punjab Government
The government argued that paying the arrears within the short period ordered by the High Court is constitutionally impossible.
Court proceedings
Bajwa and Employee Groups
Bajwa criticized the government for challenging the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court.
Punjab Government
The additional chief secretary in the finance department filed a special leave petition challenging the August 3 judgment.
Key facts
- Pending arrears
- Rs 14,191 crore, according to Partap Singh Bajwa.
- People affected
- More than seven lakh employees and pensioners, according to Bajwa.
- Pending DA demand
- Employees have sought release of 18 per cent pending dearness allowance.
- High Court order
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed payment of pending dues within a fortnight.
- Government response
- The Punjab government challenged the High Court ruling in the Supreme Court.
- Statewide protest
- More than three lakh employees took mass casual leave on August 27.
- Other demands
- Implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and regularisation of contractual employees.
Quotes
Partap Singh Bajwa
Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly and senior Congress leader
“Do you not want to give DA, or do you not have an arrangement of funds? If you do not have funds, then why do you paint a rosy picture of financial resources? If you have funds for advertisements and other events, then why have employees been deprived of their rights?”
theprint.in
“I want to ask the Mann government whether it will clear the pending DA of employees and pensioners or not”
theprint.in
Sources
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