Two Installments of Pending 7% DA be Given in Cash w.e.f February 1, 2019

Chandigarh, February 28: The Committee of Ministers under the Chairmanship of Mr. Brahm Mohindra, Health and Family Welfare Minister held a meeting with the Union Leaders of Punjab State Ministerial Services Union at Punjab Bhawan, Chandigarh. The Committee after hearing the various pending demands of the employees made following recommendations.

Considering the demand of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union The Committee of Ministers made recommendation to give 7% DA to the employees (4% due from 01-01-2017 and 3% due from 01-07-2017) in cash w.e.f. February 1, 2019. Decision to release the arrears of this DA will be taken later in future. The Committee of Ministers also decided to constitute a committee to consider the demand of the employees to implement the old pension scheme on the government employees recruited after 01-01-2004.

The Committee of Ministers also made recommendation that the Probation Period of the newly recruited employees would be considered as the qualifying service for the purpose of pension and seniority but no increment would be given to employees during Probation Period. Finance Department would soon issue notification in this regard. The Committee of Ministers further framed the committee comprising of Principal Secretary, Finance and Principal Secretary, General Administration to study the demand of the employees to reduce the Probation Period. This committee would made final recommendation in this regard.

The Committee of Ministers apprised the Union leaders that the case to regularize the services of the contractual, Daily Wage and Adhoc employees is already under the consideration of this high powered committee of Ministers and the case of the employees of the hospitality department would also be considered by the committee. Regarding the issue of giving full pay during the Probation Period, The Committee of Ministers would take decision later on.

The Committee of Ministers clarified that as per the letter of Finance Department dated 16-12-2011 provision has been made to give ex gratia grant of Rs. 5 lakh to the legal heirs of the deceased government employee. The Committee of Ministers also made recommendation to give DCRG benefits on pattern of Central Government to the employees recruited in government service after 01-01-2004.

The Committee of Ministers further ensure the Union Leaders to meet again in future to resolve such matters in which no financial issue/burden is involved. The meeting was attended by Mr. Manpreet Singh Badal, Finance Minister, Mr. Karan Avtar Singh, Chief Secretary, Mr. Jaspal Singh, Principal Secretary, General Administration, Mr. A.S. Miglani, Secretary, Personnel and Mr. Harbans Singh, Deputy Secretary, Personnel.