Punjab Employees, Pensioners to Protest on August 27 Over Pending DA Dues

August 25, 2026

CHANDIGARH: Nearly 4 lakh Punjab government, board and corporation employees, along with around 3.5 lakh pensioners, are set to join a statewide protest on August 27 over pending dearness allowance (DA) instalments, even as the state government considers offering 6 per cent interest on the arrears to defuse the agitation.

Employees have announced mass casual leave and demonstrations outside Deputy Commissioner offices across the state, with major protests planned at Sector 17 and outside the Punjab Secretariat in Chandigarh. Essential services will continue, but routine government functioning, including work at public schools, colleges and non-emergency healthcare facilities, is expected to be affected.

Employees Demand Release of Pending DA

The proposed agitation comes amid growing demands from employees and pensioners for the release of their pending DA instalments. The unions have maintained that payment of the outstanding dues remains their primary demand.

The protest is expected to affect normal government functioning across the state, although essential services are likely to remain operational.

High Court Order Adds Pressure on Punjab Government

The agitation follows an August 3 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the state government to release the pending DA instalments.

Following the court’s direction, the AAP government is reportedly reconsidering its earlier plan to challenge the order before the Supreme Court.

The legal development has added to the pressure on the state government as employee and pensioner organisations prepare for the statewide protest.

CM Bhagwant Mann to Meet Unions

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to meet representatives of employee and pensioner unions in Chandigarh on the day of the proposed “maha hartal”.

The state government is reportedly considering offering 6 per cent interest on the pending DA arrears as a possible compromise to resolve the dispute and prevent the agitation from escalating.

However, the unions remain focused on securing the actual payment of the outstanding DA dues.

With both sides yet to reach a settlement, August 27 is expected to be a significant day for the Punjab government, its employees and pensioners.