Chandigarh, September 5:“The Bhagwant Mann Government has created two classes of employees, lost the legal battle over pay disparity, and is now trying to create another division over DA. A selective 60% DA announcement cannot substitute for implementation of court orders or payment of pending DA/DR,” said Sardar Kewal Singh Dhillon, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Punjab.

Employees recruited up to July 16, 2020, receive Punjab pay scales, while those from July 17, 2020, onwards were placed under the Central pattern.

“Two employees on the same post can receive different basic pay because of a one-day difference in joining date. This is gross injustice,” he said.

Employees challenged the disparity before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which ruled in their favour, holding that executive instructions cannot override statutory service rules prescribing Punjab pay scales. The Government’s challenge failed; contempt proceedings continue before the High Court.

Sardar Dhillon said the proposal to raise DA from 42% to 60% for 85,000 post-July 17, 2020 recruits requires scrutiny.

“Who benefits from these 85,000? Many recruits remain on three-year probation/fixed remuneration and do not receive DA normally. The Government must disclose how many will actually benefit immediately.”

Approximately 3.15 lakh other employees remain outside the announcement.

“Why are their pending DA dues ignored? What about four lakh pensioners? For them, DA is Dearness Relief. This announcement gives them nothing,” he said.

He demanded clarity on the ₹14,191 crore pending DA/DR liability.

“If the entire amount cannot be paid immediately, announce a time-bound payment schedule. Employees need their dues, not notices, transfers and excuses,” he said.

Rejecting the suggestion that employees opt for Central pay scales to receive Central DA, Sardar Dhillon said, “A higher DA percentage on a lower basic salary cannot compensate for surrendering the Punjab pay scale.”

He said AAP Government must stop divide-and-rule politics, respect judicial orders and resolve pay disparity and DA arrears.

“Punjab needs pay parity, DA parity and justice—not selective announcements and intimidation,” he said.