BJP Leader Calls on Punjab Government to Align DA with Central Hike
In a sharp critique directed at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar extended gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday for the recent 2% increase in dearness allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners. He strongly urged the state administration to emulate this move by raising DA for its own employees and settling outstanding payments.
Disparity in DA Rates Highlighted
Through a social media post, Jakhar acknowledged PM Modi's initiative, noting that with this latest adjustment, central government employees will now receive DA at a rate of 60%. In stark contrast, he pointed out that the Punjab government is currently providing only 42% DA to its employees, with multiple instalments still awaiting clearance.
Jakhar referenced a High Court observation, emphasizing that DA constitutes a legitimate entitlement for employees. Consequently, he called for an immediate enhancement of the allowance and the release of pending dues, which include an estimated Rs 15,000 crore related to delayed DA payments and arrears from pay commissions.
Criticism of Financial Management
The BJP leader underscored the vital role of employees in governance, as they are instrumental in executing policies and programs at the grassroots level. He argued that timely and complete salary disbursements would enable them to perform their duties more efficiently.
Jakhar accused the Punjab government of mismanaging finances, leading to its failure in fulfilling rightful dues to employees. He highlighted that following the central hike, the disparity in DA between central and Punjab government employees has expanded to 18%. Additionally, he noted that neighboring states such as Haryana and Rajasthan are already providing full DA to their staff.
Call for Prioritizing Employee Welfare
In his concluding remarks, Jakhar advocated for a shift in priorities, suggesting that instead of allocating public funds towards advertisements and political rallies, the Punjab government should focus on promptly settling employee dues. This, he asserted, is essential for maintaining administrative effectiveness and supporting the workforce.
