Chandigarh, May 2 -- The Punjab assembly on Friday unanimously passed a resolution approving a 15% hike in minimum wages, extending the benefit to all registered workers in both government and private sectors. Chief minister Bhagwant Mann termed the increase a tribute to the working class. During the special assembly session, labour minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond tabled an official resolution on the revision of wages on the occasion of Labour Day. Participating in the discussion on the resolution, Mann said the base rate of minimum wages for the working class was last revised in 2012, and although Dearness Allowance (DA) had continued to rise since then, the base rate had not increased. Alleging past neglect, Mann said, "Two previous governments went by without revising wages for these hardworking and resilient people who are the backbone of society." "The increase in minimum wages is a real homage to the contribution of workers, which is duly respected, acknowledged and appreciated. The entire House recognises their immense role in the socio-economic progress of the state, and though this should have been done 13 years ago, no one paid heed due to insensitivity towards the working class," he said....