The Punjab government announced on Tuesday that employees participating in the ongoing protests over delayed dearness allowance (DA) payments and other grievances will face a “no work, no pay” policy. This decision comes as the striking employees have extended their pen-down strike until September 11.
Government offices throughout the state were largely empty as ministerial staff participated in the strike, significantly disrupting operations in various locations, including the Civil and Mini Secretariats in Chandigarh and local administrative centers. However, essential services, such as public transportation, schools, and healthcare facilities, continued to operate as usual.
In a directive to all administrative secretaries, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha instructed that employees who are absent from work be subjected to the “no work, no pay” rule, leading to salary deductions for the duration of their absence, according to a government source.
This action was taken as employees intensified their protests, despite ongoing government requests for them to return to work and engage in discussions. Their primary demands include the payment of outstanding DA dues and the retraction of show-cause notices and other disciplinary measures taken against those who participated in the August 27 protests.
Sukhchain Singh Khaira, the convener of the Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch, announced the extension of the pen-down strike until Friday, September 11, asserting, “The government will not silence us. We will continue our protests until we receive our DA dues.”
The unions have also expressed their opposition to the government’s classification of the mass leave taken during the previous agitation as unauthorized absence. They have made it clear that the withdrawal of disciplinary notices is a critical prerequisite for any meaningful negotiations.
This new confrontation follows a statewide strike on August 27, during which unions claimed that over three lakh government employees participated. A scheduled meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and employee representatives was canceled after the government insisted that the strike must end prior to any discussions.
The government has maintained that the issue of DA arrears is currently pending before the Supreme Court and has cited its financial constraints as a reason against immediate disbursement. The state has initiated a legal challenge in the Supreme Court against a Punjab and Haryana High Court ruling mandating the payment of approximately Rs 14,191 crore in outstanding DA and dearness relief to both employees and pensioners within a 15-day timeframe.
Despite the state’s decision on September 4 to increase the DA from 42% to 60% for about 85,000 employees hired after July 17, 2020, who are subject to the Central government’s 7th Pay Commission, the situation remains unresolved for earlier recruits, who continue to seek the payment of their pending DA installments.
Industry Minister Aman Arora labeled the ongoing agitation as “illegal” on Monday and warned that action would be taken if public services were disrupted. Nevertheless, the employees proceeded with their strike.
At the district level, employees conducted protests and chanted slogans against the government. In Hoshiarpur, Anirudh Modgil, district president of the employees’ union, claimed that the government had withheld 18% of the dearness allowance (DA), assured career progression (ACP) benefits, and other allowances. Modgil indicated that, as per a decision made by the Joint Coordination Committee, employees would begin surrounding Punjab ministers starting September 12.
In Ferozepur, protests were held at the District Administrative Complex, where Pippal Singh, district president of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, criticized the government for failing to take concrete actions in response to their long-standing demands, despite previous assurances.
Singh also highlighted a promise made in the government’s election manifesto regarding the restoration of the old pension scheme, noting that although a notification had been issued, the complete procedures and necessary conditions for implementation remained unclear.
The strike has caused significant inconvenience for the public, with individuals traveling from remote villages to government offices, including the Deputy Commissioner’s office, being turned away without having their issues addressed.
Kanchan Vasdev serves as a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau, bringing over 22 years of experience in journalism, particularly in covering critical political, governance, and social issues in Northern India.
In her professional capacity, Vasdev primarily reports on the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office, government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party leadership within the state. She has previously worked with The Tribune and has contributed to the launch of various city editions.
Her recent work includes significant projects such as a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs, conducted during the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Additionally, she has focused on environmental issues as a fellow with the Centre for Science and Environment, examining pollution in the Satluj river.
Recent notable articles authored by Vasdev highlight the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the current Punjab government led by Bhagwant Mann, including coverage of special Assembly sessions, rural elections, and administrative reforms.
