Punjab Government to Release Rs 14,000 Crore in Arrears for Employees and Pensioners

Chandigarh, Feb 13 (NationPress) In a significant boost for government employees and pensioners, the Punjab Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has agreed to distribute arrears totaling Rs 14,000 crore.

This decision was made during a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by the Chief Minister.

A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office announced that the Cabinet approved the release of arrears related to revised pay, pensions, and leave encashment covering the period from January 1, 2016, to June 30, 2022, along with Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) from July 1, 2021, to March 31, 2024, for both employees and pensioners.

The allocation of Rs 14,000 crore will be disbursed in phases, providing essential relief to those affected, as stated in an official release.

Notably, this initiative will directly benefit three lakh government employees and three lakh pensioners. Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the establishment of new positions within the Punjab State Legal Services Authority aimed at setting up 22 new Lok Adalats to ensure justice for the populace.

The Cabinet also sanctioned the creation of three new roles: Assistant Director, Senior Assistant, and Sewadar in the newly formed district of Malerkotla.

To combat tax evasion through effective human resource utilization, the Cabinet agreed to establish 476 new posts in the Taxation Department.

Additionally, a change in the job titles of Inspectors in the department was approved; they will now be recognized as State Taxation Officers.

The Cabinet also consented to hire 53 drivers in the Excise Department on a regular basis. Modifications to the rules and qualifications for the direct recruitment of Physical Training Instructors (PTI teachers) in the Elementary Education Department were also sanctioned, facilitating the recruitment of 2,000 teachers.

To enhance healthcare services, the Cabinet approved the revival of 822 posts in the Group-C cadre within the Health and Family Welfare Department, thereby improving departmental efficiency and healthcare quality.

Moreover, the Cabinet sanctioned the creation of 97 posts across various cadres in the Dr B.R. Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences, SAS Nagar, to bolster the institute's efficiency in providing medical services.

In a bid to create over 50,000 jobs for the youth, the Cabinet approved waiving stamp duties, registration fees, and other charges for the land transfer to the special purpose vehicle (SPV), NICDC Punjab Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited, associated with the Amritsar-Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC) Project.

This project is poised to stimulate local commerce and global business competitiveness, creating a favorable investment environment. It is anticipated to generate approximately 32,724 jobs from industrial activities and 14,880 jobs from industrial support amenities.

In a significant step towards aiding economically weaker sections (EWS), the Cabinet approved a policy to optimally utilize land designated for them. This involves monetizing scattered land pockets in various colonies, with proceeds directed towards EWS benefits. A total of 1,500 acres will be acquired statewide.

In a landmark decision, the Cabinet renamed the financial assistance scheme for acid attack victims to the Punjab Financial Assistance to Acid Victims Scheme of 2024, expanding inclusivity to male and transgender victims and increasing monthly assistance from Rs 8,000 to Rs 10,000.

The Cabinet also approved a special session of the Vidhan Sabha scheduled for February 24-25, during which legislative matters will be addressed.