– Over 7 lakh employees and pensioners do not want charity, they want their due rights; Government should immediately implement DA arrears and Old Pension Scheme.
Balachaur, (Asian independent) (Jatinderpal Singh Kaler ): Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) Senior Leader Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Thiara (Nawanshahr) and Youth Akali Leader Ramanpreet Singh Thiara (Nawanshahr) launched a sharp political attack on Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party government, stating that lakhs of government employees and pensioners in the state are demanding answers from the government for their rights, but instead of resolving their legitimate demands, the government is busy showcasing its performance through publicity and advertisements. Dr. Thiara said that “Employees demanding rights, Punjab demanding answers” has today become the reality of the state. DA arrears, pension-related rights, and other demands associated with over 7 lakh government employees and pensioners have been pending for a long time. She said that the employees who are dedicating the precious time of their lives to the service of the people of Punjab are forced to knock on the doors of the government just to get their own rights.
She said that while assuming power in 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party government had promised employees to restore the Old Pension Scheme. Even after several years, this promise could not be fully implemented on the ground. Dr. Thiara said the government should not create an illusion that employees’ problems are solved merely through announcements and statements, but should translate its promises into action.
The Akali leader said employees do not want any mercy or charity from the government. They are asking for their due rights in exchange for their hard work and service. She said that withholding DA arrears, delaying pensioners’ rights, and dragging the matter of the Old Pension Scheme is not justice to the employee class.
Questioning the government’s publicity campaign, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Thiara said that if the government has money for its PR and advertising, why is a shortage of money being felt for paying the legitimate arrears of employees? She said that giving advertisements in newspapers and other mediums instead of depositing legitimate arrears into the employees’ accounts does not end the government’s accountability.
She said that Punjab’s employees now want to see the payment of their rights, not just the words of the government. The government should talk to employee unions, find a time-bound solution to their demands, and immediately release all due financial benefits including DA arrears.
She stated, “Answer by releasing due arrears, not through PR”, and warning the Punjab government, said that instead of further delaying the legitimate demands of employees, the government should fulfill its responsibility. She demanded that the due rights of employees and pensioners be given immediately and the Old Pension Scheme be fully implemented without any further delay.
