Panjab Cabinet Tackles Pay & Job Issues

The Panjab Cabinet approved disbursing USD 1.69B in pending arrears for employees and pensioners. Panjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said, ‘The Cabinet has given approval to release arrears of revised pay, pensions, and leave encashment for the period between 1 Jan 2016 and 30 Jun 2022. Additionally, pending Dearness Allowance (DA) from 1 Jul 2021 to 31 Mar 2024 will also be released for pensioners and employees.’ He added that the sum will be disbursed in stages, benefiting nearly 600K individuals—300K employees and 300K pensioners.The Cabinet also approved the creation of new posts in the Punjab State Legal Services Authority for setting up 22 new Lok Adalats (people's courts) across the state. Cheema said, 'The Cabinet has approved the creation of 476 new posts in the department. Additionally, the nomenclature of Inspectors has been changed, and they will now be designated as State Taxation Officers.' To improve healthcare services, the Cabinet approved the revival of 822 Group C posts in the Health and Family Welfare Department, enhancing the department’s efficiency. 50K new jobs are expected from the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster initiative. Meanwhile, the state grapples with infrastructural backlogs: Ludhiana’s long-overdue sewage treatment plant, inaugurated in Dec 2020 at an estimated USD 921K, has yet to start despite repeated assurances. Similarly, over 40% of Block Primary Education Officer positions remain vacant, with Rupnagar reporting nine out of ten posts unfilled, prompting calls for urgent recruitment. On the employment front, the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited introduced 2,500 Assistant Lineman vacancies, offering a monthly salary of USD 230. It must be noted the Cabinet had not met for four months because the state executive was busy with the Delhi elections. Now that the Aam Aadmi Party has lost the Delhi elections, the Panjab government is taking proactive steps.