Punjab Govt Invokes ‘No Work, No Pay’ Rule as Employees Extend Strike till Sept 11

September 9, 2026

Chandigarh: Hours after Punjab government employees announced that their pen-down strike would continue until September 11, the Bhagwant Mann government on Tuesday invoked the “no work, no pay” principle. The government warned that employees remaining absent during office hours would not receive salaries and could also face disciplinary action.

The move came after the Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch extended its protest till Friday. Union leader Sukhchain Singh Khera said employees in government offices, including the Civil Secretariat, directorates and district-level offices, would continue the strike as the government had not invited them for talks over their pending demands.

Employees Demand DA Arrears, ACP Benefits

Government employees across Punjab observed a statewide pen-down strike on Tuesday. Their key demands include payment of pending 18 per cent dearness allowance (DA) arrears and implementation of assured career progression (ACP) benefits.

The employees are also seeking withdrawal of show-cause notices issued over their alleged “unauthorised” absence during the August 27 strike.

In a communication to chief secretaries, financial commissioners and administrative secretaries, the personnel department said reports had been received of employees marking their attendance but staying away from work during office hours. According to the department, this was causing inconvenience to the public.

The government said such employees would be treated as being on “unauthorised absence”. Their salaries would be withheld under the “no work, no pay” rule, and disciplinary proceedings could also be initiated.

Government Calls Strike ‘Illegal’

Earlier, Cabinet minister Aman Arora appealed to employees to call off the strike, saying the government was willing to hold discussions and resolve legitimate demands through dialogue.

However, he described the strike as “illegal” and warned that action could be taken against those participating in it.

Despite the government’s warning, employees staged protests and boycotted work at government offices and directorates across Punjab, including Chandigarh. The strike disrupted public services, with several people returning from government offices without getting their work completed.

Dispute Over ₹14,191 Crore DA Arrears

The current deadlock dates back to August 27, when more than three lakh government employees began a statewide agitation over pending DA dues and other demands.

The Punjab government on September 4 announced an increase in DA from 42 per cent to 60 per cent for around 85,000 employees recruited after July 17, 2020. However, protesting employees continue to demand payment of DA arrears, citing a direction of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The state government has challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court, arguing that payment of ₹14,191 crore in DA and dearness relief arrears within two weeks would be financially unfeasible.

With the strike now extended until September 11, the standoff between the Punjab government and its employees continues, with both sides yet to reach a settlement.