Chandigarh, Aug 2026 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Thursday claimed that employees of the state government are the highest-paid among government employees across the country, even as more than three lakh government workers went on a statewide strike demanding the release of pending dearness allowance (DA) and fulfilment of other long-standing demands.
Speaking at an event in Jalandhar, Mann said Punjab had made it a priority to provide better remuneration to government employees, whom he described as the backbone of the state administration.
“If the Centre pays Rs 30,000 to Rs 32,000 to an employee, the Punjab government pays Rs 50,000,” Mann said, describing the state’s salary structure as a matter of pride and satisfaction.
His remarks came as more than 150 employee organisations under the banner of Punjab Sanjha Mulazam Manch participated in the “Maha Hartal”. The one-day statewide protest affected the functioning of several government departments and public services.
The protesting employees are demanding the release of pending 18 per cent DA, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and regularisation of contractual employees. Employee organisations have alleged that despite repeated assurances, the government has failed to resolve their long-pending concerns.
Mann, however, highlighted the state government’s employment and recruitment initiatives while addressing a passing-out parade at the Punjab Armed Police (PAP) Ground in Phillaur. He handed over appointment letters to 1,746 newly recruited Punjab Police personnel and congratulated them on joining the force.
The Chief Minister said 13,092 personnel had been added to the Punjab Police over the past four-and-a-half years. He said recruitment of another 3,298 constables was currently underway.
Mann also claimed that 70,840 youngsters had so far secured government jobs on merit under the government’s “No Cash, No Farmaish” principle, which he said was designed to ensure recruitment without corruption, monetary transactions or political recommendations.
He said the recruitment process had created opportunities for young people across Punjab and claimed that some candidates had successfully secured government employment multiple times in different departments.
“Several young candidates have successfully secured government jobs multiple times in different departments, which reflects the credibility and competitiveness of our recruitment process,” Mann said.
The state government has also approved 1,600 new district-cadre posts for inspectors, sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors. These positions will be filled through departmental promotions, with the government maintaining that the move will strengthen the police force and improve its ability to respond to emerging challenges.
Addressing the newly recruited constables, Mann called upon them to serve the people with dedication, professionalism and a missionary spirit. He said the Punjab Police had a particularly important responsibility because of the state’s strategic location and its role in national security.
“Everyone knows that the Punjab Police is not only the police force of a state, but it works for the country, safeguarding the 553-kilometre border along with a hostile neighbour,” he said.
Mann said the force had consistently contributed to protecting the country’s unity and integrity while maintaining peace and security in Punjab.
He also highlighted the state government’s campaign against drugs, describing drug trafficking as a form of “drug terrorism”. According to the Chief Minister, more than 70,000 drug smugglers have been arrested over the past more than 500 days.
He said the authorities were also taking action against properties belonging to drug peddlers involved in the illegal trade, including confiscation and demolition of such properties.
While the Chief Minister emphasised the government’s record on salaries, recruitment and policing, the statewide employee strike underscored continuing differences between the government and its workforce over pending financial and service-related demands.
The competing claims have placed renewed focus on the government’s efforts to balance employee expectations with the state’s financial obligations.
