M A I N   N E W S

Punjab hikes DA by 8 pc
Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 20
The Punjab Government today announced 8 per cent hike in the dearness allowance, taking the existing allowance from 27 to 35 per cent. This increase has been made on the pattern of Central government employees.

The announcement came from Finance Minister Manpreet Badal. The allowance will be increased with retrospective from January 1, 2010.

The state has decided to transfer the arrears to the general provident fund of the employees, whereas all other states in the region have decided to give the arrears in cash. The cash-starved Punjab will incur a burden of Rs 713.89 crore on account of this enhancement.

The basic salary in Punjab is Rs 4,200 and the maximum Rs 80,000. The benefit to employees based on the basic salary will range between Rs 336-6,400.

Manpreet Badal has said that this decision will also benefit pensioners and they will be paid 8 per cent additional DA as in case of serving employees. He added: “The arrears of the DA till May 31 will be deposited in the GPF of the employees and will be paid in cash from June 1.”