Bathinda, February 5
The Chief Minister, Capt Amarinder Singh, today announced that 50 per cent dearness allowance (DA) of its employees would be merged with the basic pay and the government would not reduce the facilities being provided to its employees.
He said the government was also planning to enhance the retirement age of its employees to 60 years.
He however, clarified that the retirement age would be enhanced only after all vacancies existing in different departments would be filled.
The Chief Minister accused the Centre of hatching a political conspiracy against the Punjab Government by reviving the Eradi Commission. The commission was set up for deciding the share in river water between Punjab and Haryana.
“The Eradi Commission was in hibernation for the past 18 years. As the Lok Sabha elections have been approaching, it has started functioning again which is surprising,” said Capt Amarinder Singh, who was here to inaugurate the district administrative complex.
While stating that the government’s agenda in the all-party meeting to be held on February 7 would be linked to the demand of scrapping the commission, he said after the meeting a delegation would meet the Prime Minister for setting up new commission for deciding the share of Punjab and Haryana. He said the SAD president would also be invited for the meeting.
The Chief Minister while reiterating his commitment to eradicate the corruption from the state, said more corrupt Akali and BJP ministers would be arrested soon.
He claimed that the escape of three undertrials in the Beant Singh assassination case from the Burail jail would not affect the peace in Punjab. He, however, said the police districts set up during militancy days would not be disbanded.
To a question, he said the Prime Minister should take up the turban issue with the France government.
Regarding the Cabinet expansion, he said it would not be expanded. However, the portfolios of some of the ministers might be changed.
