3 lakh Punjab pensioners to get revised pension, arrears

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 5

In a bonanza to the pensioners across the state, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday directed the Finance Department to pay the revised pension with effect from July 1, 2021 to over 3 lakh pensioners involving an additional expenditure of Rs 1,887 crore during the current fiscal year in line with the recommendations of the 6th Punjab Pay Commission.

Further, he also directed that the revised pension should be released to the pensioners in one go.

According to a spokesperson of the Chief Minister’s Office, Channi cleared the file to this effect this morning. Likewise, he also gave his nod to pay retirement benefits including leave encashment and gratuity, around Rs 915 crore to approximately 42,600 pensioners who have retired between January 1, 2016 and June 30, 2021 as per 6th Punjab Pay Commission in one go instead of the earlier decision to pay in instalments.

The spokesperson said that this decision will have an impact of around Rs 2,802 crore on the state exchequer during this fiscal year.