Punjab government employees announce month-long protest against 3 per cent DA hike
Unions have rejected Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Diwali gift, demanding the release of remaining arrears and implementation of the Old Pension Scheme.
Punjab government employees have announced a month-long protest starting November 13 after refusing to accept a 3 per cent dearness allowance (DA) hike. According to a report by Mint, the protest will culminate on December 13.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced the 3 per cent increase for nearly 8 lakh employees and pensioners as a Diwali gift. The hike will raise the DA rate from 50 per cent to 53 per cent and is expected to be effective from November 1.
The Joint Coordination Committee of Employee and Pensioner Unions has rejected the increase, arguing that the hike is insufficient while significant DA remains unpaid. Sukhchain Singh Khaira, coordinator of the Joint Action Committee, stated that the government is only releasing 3 per cent of what is already due to them.
The unions' demands include the implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), payment of pending DA arrears, the release of the remaining 10 per cent DA, and the implementation of Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. They also seek the restoration of old pay scales and the withdrawal of policies affecting service conditions.
The protest schedule includes a sit-in in Sangrur from November 13 to 19 and demonstrations outside the homes of all 91 AAP MLAs from December 1 to 5. On December 6, protesters plan to immerse the ashes of burnt effigies in the Budha Nullah.
The demonstrations will conclude on December 13 with the formation of a human chain stretching from Shambhu to Amritsar.