New Delhi, Sept. 21 -- The Punjab government has approved an 8% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for around eight lakh state employees and pensioners, taking the DA to 50%, as the Bhagwant Mann government announced a set of measures focused on employee benefits and resolving long-pending service issues. The increase will be released in two instalments of 4% each, with the benefit applicable from October 1 alongside the September salary, according to the government.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the decision after meeting representatives of employees and pensioners on Friday. He said the measure was aimed at employee welfare and dignity and described government employees as the backbone of the state's administrative mach...