DA Hike News: Employees in one Indian state have received a major gift ahead of the Diwali festival. The state government has announced an 8 percent hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA). So, which state government has provided this significant benefit to its employees? The answer is Punjab. Yes, the Punjab government has announced a hike in the Dearness Allowance, offering major relief to its eight lakh employees and pensioners.

This decision was taken following a meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and representatives of employee and pensioner organizations. Ministers Aman Arora and Baljit Kaur, Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha, Secretary (General Administration) K.K. Yadav, and other officials were also present at the meeting. After the meeting, Gurnam Singh Virk, President of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, stated that the increased Dearness Allowance would be effective from October 1.

Gurnam Singh Virk, President of the Punjab State Ministerial Services Union, added that the government has assured them that discussions regarding several other issues will also take place soon.

**Employees Were on Strike**
The standoff began on August 27, when over three lakh government employees went on a statewide strike by taking mass casual leave to press for their demands. These demands included the release of their outstanding 18 percent Dearness Allowance (DA).

The Chief Minister also announced that mandatory monthly meetings would be held with employee representatives to address their legitimate grievances and that female employees would be posted within a 40-kilometer radius of their homes. Additionally, he highlighted that approximately 70,000 government jobs have been provided through a transparent and corruption-free process.

He stated that female employees should not have to choose between their careers and family responsibilities. The state government will ensure that the system remains sensitive to their legitimate needs.

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