CM Mann should guarantee release of DA to government employees instead of staging drama through special Assembly session: Pargat Singh 

Chandigarh, April 29, 2026: Former Education Minister and MLA Pargat Singh has said that the Aam Aadmi Party government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann are not serious about Punjab’s government employees. The government is evading the payment of their Dearness Allowance (DA) installments and arrears. He said that instead of indulging in theatrics, the Mann government should, in the special Assembly session scheduled for May 1, announce ₹15,000 crore for DA installments and full arrears, and guarantee payment by June 30.
Otherwise, the AAP government should stop misleading people in the name of repeated special sessions. The people of Punjab now understand how the government diverts attention from real issues through political drama. He added that the government is trying to project unity among its MLAs after some of its MPs joined the BJP, to show there is no internal split.
Pargat said that neighboring states Himachal Pradesh and Haryana have already released DA to their employees, despite not being in a better financial position than Punjab. The Punjab government cannot evade its responsibility. Even after High Court orders, the non-release of DA installments and arrears reflects the government’s intent. He questioned that if the government lacks funds to pay DA, then where will it get crores of rupees for schemes like the “Mawan-Dhiyan Satkar Yojana,” which promises ₹1,000–1,500?
He further stated that he has always opposed the government’s practice of calling special sessions. Instead, regular Assembly sessions should be held for longer durations. However, the government keeps them short to avoid accountability and questioning from the opposition. By repeatedly calling special sessions, the government is not only wasting crores of rupees but also achieving nothing. He asked what benefits Punjab has gained from such sessions.
Pargat added that the government has never shown seriousness toward employees and laborers. While it spends crores on publicity and special sessions, it fails to provide even 100 days of employment under MGNREGA, limiting it to just 29 days. Workers’ rights are being ignored, and farm laborers are in a dire condition. The government must now release the long-pending DA arrears to employees without further delay.