3 weeks ago
Punjab employees protest unpaid DA, warn AAP before 2027 polls
The people who work for the Punjab government are very upset.
The government owes them extra money called dearness allowance (DA), which helps them cope with rising prices.
The government has paid only a small part of this money and now owes many months of payments.
Thousands of government workers and retired pensioners gathered in Chandigarh to protest.
They stopped working in more than 50 government offices for a day.
A court called the Punjab and Haryana High Court has told the government to pay the money.
The workers say they will hold a big strike on August 27.
The Chief Minister invited them for a meeting on the same day, but the workers want the meeting earlier.
Political parties are also getting involved because elections in Punjab are coming in 2027.
The workers say they can decide who wins the next election.
Thousands of Punjab government employees and pensioners protested at Chandigarh's Sector 39 grain market over 18% pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears.
The AAP government has released only one 4% DA instalment, covering July-December 2022, which was paid in December 2023 after a 40-day strike.
Employee organisations announced a 'Punjab Maha Bandh' for August 27, the same day the CM's office invited their coordination committee to meet Bhagwant Mann.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 3 ordered the state to release pending DA, saying financial constraints cannot justify withholding accrued service benefits.
Opposition leaders Sunil Jakhar (BJP), Sukhbir Singh Badal (SAD) and Partap Singh Bajwa (Congress) backed the protesters ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
- Who
- Punjab government employees and pensioners, led by the Sanjha Mulazam and Pensioners' Front, Sanjha Mulazam Manch and the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's AAP government
- What
- A mass protest and mass casual leave over 18% pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears
- Where
- Sector 39 grain market in Chandigarh, with workers in over 50 government departments across Punjab participating
- When
- On Friday, ahead of a planned 'Punjab Maha Bandh' on August 27; the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the release on August 3
- Why
- The AAP government has released only one 4% DA instalment since 2022, leaving 18% due since January 2023
Protesting Employees
AAP Government
DA arrears payment
Protesting Employees
Employees say 18% DA has been pending since January 2023 and that the only instalment ever paid came after a 40-day strike, calling the agitation a matter of self-respect.
AAP Government
The government says it stands firmly with its employees, has always worked for their welfare and remains committed to resolving their issues through discussions.
August 27 meeting vs bandh
Protesting Employees
Unions announced a Punjab Maha Bandh on August 27 and said the bandh will continue that day even if a delegation attends, demanding the Chief Minister advance the meeting.
AAP Government
The CM's office invited the employees' coordination committee to a meeting with Bhagwant Mann on August 27 to resolve the issue.
Compliance with High Court order
Protesting Employees
BJP leader Sunil Jakhar says the government spends on political advertisements while refusing to release DA, ignoring the High Court's directions and risking contempt of court.
AAP Government
The Punjab government said it remains committed to resolving employees' issues through discussions, without stating a timeline for releasing the DA.
Key facts
- Pending DA arrears
- 18% as of January 1, 2026
- DA instalment released
- One 4% instalment (July-December 2022), paid in December 2023
- Departments on mass casual leave
- Over 50
- Protest venue
- Sector 39 grain market, Chandigarh
- Employee and pensioner voters
- About 8 lakh; 40-50 lakh including families
- High Court order date
- August 3, directing release of pending DA
- CM-employees meeting
- August 27, invitation sent by the CM's office
- Planned shutdown
- Punjab Maha Bandh on August 27
Quotes
Partap Singh Bajwa
Congress MLA and Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly
“"The agitation of employees is just not about getting the pending DA, but also to show them our strength can make or break a government."”
indianexpress.com
“"I extend my full support to the protesting Punjab government employees in their legitimate fight for their rightful dues."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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