Punjab employees’ unions announce statewide agitation over pay scale, pension on February 15

Various employees’ unions in Punjab on Saturday announced a statewide agitation against the state government over long-pending financial demands, including the restoration of old pay scales, pension scheme and allowances. Under the banner “Old Pay Scale, Pension and Allowances Restoration Morcha”, a joint state-level convention was held at Nachhattar Singh Dhaliwal Memorial Hall in Moga, followed by a protest march.

The convention announced a massive state-level rally outside the Chief Minister’s residence on February 15 in Sangrur. After the convention, the unions submitted a memorandum addressed to the CM through the district administration.

Addressing the gathering, state conveners and co-conveners of the morcha, including Vikram Dev Singh, Deepak Kamboj, Atinder Pal Ghagga, Gurdeep Singh Bassi, Sandeep Singh Gill and others, accused the AAP government of reneging on its pre-poll promises. They alleged that despite assurances to implement Punjab pay scales for all employees, the government continues to enforce central pay scales for employees recruited after July 17, 2020, and is selectively implementing court orders in this regard.

The leaders demanded the implementation of Punjab pay scales for all employees, fixation of salaries as per the Sixth Punjab Pay Commission with a 15 per cent hike, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme under the 1972 rules, scrapping of the Unified Pension Scheme, release of pending 16 per cent dearness allowance, restoration of 37 abolished allowances including rural and border area allowances, and revival of the ACP scheme.

Union leaders pointed out that during 2025, not a single instalment of dearness allowance was released, leaving Punjab employees 16 per cent behind their central counterparts. They demanded parity in DA announcements, similar to IAS and IPS officers drawing salaries from the state exchequer.

Democratic Employees Federation state president Germanjit Singh said the struggle should be directed against policies and corporate-driven decision-making rather than individuals in power.

Leaders and activists from several unions, including teachers’, health workers’, veterinary inspectors’, clerks’, and jail staff unions, participated in large numbers, reiterating their resolve to intensify the agitation until their demands were met.