Punjab is witnessing a major employee-pensioner mobilisation today as nearly 7.5 lakh government employees and lakhs of pensioners observe a “maha hartal” over long-pending dearness allowance (DA) dues, pensions and pay-related demands, putting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government under fresh pressure ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann who is apparently under pressure is scheduled to meet representatives of the Joint Action Committee at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) complex in Jalandhar. The government is reportedly considering offering 6% interest on pending DA dues while seeking additional time to clear the principal amount. The arrears are estimated at around Rs 15,000 crore.
Employee leaders, however, have indicated that they are unlikely to accept a proposal that does not address the outstanding dues.
Employees across departments are expected to proceed on mass casual leave and stage protests outside government offices. Government schools, colleges, universities, hospitals and other healthcare facilities, barring emergency services, along with government offices, are expected to remain non-functional.
However, unions have said normal life will not be disrupted. Roads will not be blocked, private businesses will remain open and PRTC buses are expected to operate normally, particularly with the agitation coming just a day before Rakhi.
The protest centres on demands for immediate payment of pending DA instalments, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and a review of salary scales introduced on the Central Government pattern. Punjab government employees currently receive 42% DA, against 60% for Central government employees.
The agitation comes as Punjab’s outstanding debt is projected at around Rs 4.47 lakh crore, highlighting the financial challenge facing the Mann government as it seeks to contain employee discontent while preparing for the 2027 electoral battle.
