Chandigarh, Nov 4: Four days ahead of Diwali, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann today announced an additional 3 per cent dearness allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners, calling it a gift for 8 lakh beneficiaries.
With the latest hike, the total DA will increase to 53 per cent.
Earlier this year, the government hiked DA by 4 per cent twice and the latest increase makes it 11 per cent this year.
“I am giving a Diwali gift to 8 lakh employees and pensioners. They will get an instalment of 3 per cent DA. They are the backbone of the government. This is good news for them,” Mann said while addressing media persons.
It will be credited with November’s salary, the CM said.
The decision will entail a fiscal liability of approximately Rs 380 crore for the remainder of the current financial year and around Rs 1,000 crore annually from April 2027.
“The government is always ready to meet the demands of employees,” Mann said, adding that his government had provided 71,777 government jobs.
“When we took over, employees were getting 28 per cent DA. Now they will get 53 per cent DA. For the first time, they have received an 11 per cent DA increase in a single year,” Mann said.
He said the total annual financial liability arising from the increase announced this year would be Rs 3,988 crore.
On September 23, the Finance Department had issued orders for the earlier 8 per cent increase, providing for the revised rate with effect from September 1. Employees and pensioners received the benefit along with their September salary and October pension.
During 2025-26, Punjab spent approximately Rs 58,064 crore annually on salaries and pensions. The additional DA burden, along with the arrears and interest payable, would further increase the committed expenditure. (NVI)
