8 September 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Punjab government secretarial staff are observing a one-day mass casual leave today as part of their protest over pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears. Cabinet minister Aman Arora has termed the action illegal, saying the matter is currently sub judice.
Employees Step Up Protest Over DA Dues
According to the Secretariat Employees Union, employees across the Punjab Civil Secretariat, mini-secretariats, deputy commissioner offices, tehsil complexes and departmental directorates are participating in the mass leave.
The latest action follows a statewide “maha hartal” observed by government employees on August 27 over long-pending demands, including payment of DA arrears.
Why Employees Are Protesting
Employee unions are demanding payment of pending DA arrears, citing directions issued by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The High Court, in an August 3 judgment, dismissed the state’s appeals and directed Punjab and PSPCL to release all up-to-date pending DA/DR instalments to employees and pensioners in line with the Central Government pattern within a fortnight.
Government Says Matter Is Sub Judice
Aman Arora criticised the mass leave, saying government employees are essential to the functioning of the administration but that an “illegal strike” cannot be the way forward while the matter is sub judice.
He appealed to employees not to become “political tools” and said the government remains open to dialogue while also having a responsibility to ensure essential public services are not disrupted.
Punjab Government Highlights Financial Constraints
Arora also pointed to Punjab’s financial situation while defending the government’s position.
According to him, the state spends around 51% of its revenue receipts on salaries and pensions, compared with a national average of about 38%. He said committed liabilities account for roughly 82% of the state’s revenues.
Government Had Announced DA Hike
The government had announced an increase in DA to 60% for around 85,000 employees recruited after July 17, 2020, bringing them in line with Central Government pay scales.
However, employee unions have continued to demand clearance of the older arrears covered by the court’s directions.
Unions Plan More Agitation
The employees’ organisations have said the protest will continue if their demands are not addressed.
Their announced programme includes a mock Vidhan Sabha session on September 30, followed by plans to gherao ministers’ residences in October.
Court Order Sets Deadline for Payment
The High Court directed the state and PSPCL to release pending DA/DR instalments within a fortnight.
It also ordered 6% simple annual interest on unpaid amounts after the stipulated period and directed the Punjab chief secretary to file a compliance report by August 31, 2026.
Standoff Between Government and Employees
The dispute now places the Punjab government and its employees’ unions on opposite sides of a contentious issue involving both financial constraints and implementation of a judicial order.
While the government says disruption of public services cannot be allowed, employees maintain that their demand concerns long-pending dues that have already received judicial backing.