Punjab increases dearness allowance for 6,507 computer teachers
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a 40 per cent hike for PICTES teachers as a Diwali gift.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced on Friday a 40 per cent increase in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for 6,507 computer teachers of the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES). According to The Tribune, the hike will raise the DA from 181 per cent to 221 per cent.
The Chief Minister also stated that the government decided to extend salary-related benefits to 1,007 non-teaching employees under Samagra Shiksha whose services were recently regularised. Mann shared the news on X, describing it as a major Diwali gift for employees and stating the government is committed to their welfare.
This announcement follows a separate 3 per cent DA increase announced on Wednesday for approximately 8 lakh government employees and pensioners. India Today reported that the 3 per cent hike will take the DA for those beneficiaries from 50 per cent to 53 per cent.
The Indian Express noted that the state's outstanding DA and Dearness Relief (DR) arrears for the period from January 1, 2021, to September 30, 2026, stand at approximately Rs 22,818 crore. Chief Secretary KAP Sinha informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that the total pending liability for both claims is approximately Rs 32,418 crore.
While the 3 per cent increase for general employees is expected to be credited with November's salary, the government previously clarified that certain increased instalments would be transferred with December salaries.