Punjab Employees Demand Release of 16% Pending DA After Supreme Court Verdict
CHANDIGARH 10 Feb ( Jobsoftoday) : Punjab government employees have intensified their demand for the release of 16% pending Dearness Allowance (DA). The Punjab Civil Secretariat Staff Association (PCSSA) has formally urged the Punjab Government to clear the long-pending dues, citing a recent landmark judgment of the .
Formal Memorandum Submitted to Government
In a memorandum dated February 10, 2026, the PCSSA addressed the Chief Minister and Finance Minister, demanding immediate implementation of pending DA instalments. The association warned that failure to act may compel employees to seek legal remedies.
Details of the Pending 16% Dearness Allowance
According to the association, the pending 16% DA has accumulated due to non-implementation of multiple Central Government DA hikes announced between July 2023 and July 2025. While Central Government employees received these increments on time, Punjab employees continue to wait.
Allegations of Discriminatory Treatment
The employees allege step-motherly treatment by the state administration. The memorandum claims that IAS, IPS and IRS officers posted in Punjab are being paid DA regularly from the state treasury, while nearly 3.5 lakh employees and around 4 lakh pensioners have been denied the same benefit.
Supreme Court Verdict Strengthens Employees’ Case
The demand has gained momentum after a recent Supreme Court ruling delivered on February 5, 2026, in the case related to state government employees’ DA payments. The apex court ruled that Dearness Allowance is a statutory right and cannot be denied on the excuse of financial constraints.
Key Observations of the Supreme Court
| Issue | Supreme Court Observation |
|---|---|
| Legal Status of DA | DA is a legal and enforceable right of employees |
| Financial Constraints | Lack of funds is not a valid excuse to deny DA |
| Model Employer Principle | States must act as model employers |
| Selective Payments | Discrimination among employees is unconstitutional |
Ultimatum and Possible Legal Action
The PCSSA has demanded that all pending DA arrears up to December 31, 2025, be released immediately. The association has clearly warned that if the government fails to comply, employees will approach the courts for relief.
Growing Discontent Among Punjab Employees
This issue comes amid rising unrest among Punjab government employees, who have already announced 2026 as a year of protest. With a significant gap between Central and Punjab DA rates, employee unions insist that further delay will not be tolerated.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial as the Punjab Government faces increasing pressure to resolve the long-pending DA issue.
