Employees Demanded 18%, Government Offered Only 8%; Thousands Of Crores In Arrears Remain Unpaid Despite Court Directions: Tarun Chugh

Sep19,2026 | Jagrati Lahar Bureau | Chandigarh

Chandigarh | September 19, 2026

BJP National Office In-Charge and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab over its decision to increase Dearness Allowance for employees and pensioners by 8 percentage points. He said that Punjab’s employees and pensioners had demanded an 18 percentage point increase, but the government has offered only 8% and is now projecting it as a major achievement. The government is patting itself on the back for increasing DA from 42% to 50%, even as thousands of crores in arrears remain unpaid.

Chugh said that paying employees and pensioners their legitimate dues is the government’s responsibility, not a favour. Despite clear directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, several long-pending financial issues concerning employees and pensioners remain unresolved. Instead of addressing their genuine demands comprehensively, the government has attempted to close the issue by announcing only an 8% increase.

He said the AAP government’s approach towards employees and pensioners has been completely insensitive. Instead of maintaining serious and institutional dialogue with established employee organisations that have been raising the concerns of their members for years, the government is entering into arrangements with newly propped-up groups and attempting to mislead employees.

Chugh said that Punjab’s employees and pensioners are not asking for political announcements; they are demanding what is legitimately due to them. The government must ensure the timely payment of pending DA, arrears and other financial liabilities. He said the government should move beyond publicity and political posturing and provide a concrete resolution to the legitimate demands of employees and pensioners.

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