Former Deputy Chief Minister of Punjab and Member of Parliament from Gurdaspur, Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, stated that the failure to pay pensions and government employees on time is not just an administrative lapse but a clear indication of the deteriorating financial condition of the state. This situation is directly impacting the livelihood of lakhs of families.
More than 3 lakh pensioners and around 3.5 lakh employees in the state are being forced to wait for their rightful dues, reflecting the government’s insensitivity. He targeted the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, stating that while there is no delay in the salaries of ministers and officials, ordinary employees and pensioners are being made to wait for their payments.
The government is also avoiding payment of Dearness Allowance (DA) installments. Raising concerns with data over the increasing debt, Randhawa said that the burden of debt on Punjab has risen rapidly during the tenure of the Aam Aadmi Party government.
According to available government figures, when the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in March 2022, the total debt of the state was approximately ₹2.63 lakh crore. He warned that if this pace continues, Punjab may soon approach a debt burden of ₹5 lakh crore, pushing the state toward a serious financial crisis.
He sought answers from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on whether the state’s financial condition has weakened to such an extent that even basic obligations like pensions and salaries cannot be fulfilled on time. Randhawa said that the people of Punjab want to know why employees and pensioners, who have dedicated their entire lives to serving the state, are being deprived of their rightful dues, and what direction the increasing debt is taking the state’s future.
He assured that once the Congress forms the government in Punjab, the first step will be to release the pending DA installments of employees. No pensioner or employee will have to struggle for their salary. Payments of salaries and pensions will be made on time.