Chandigarh, Sept. 23 -- Punjab Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced a significant decision to ensure the financial security of retired employees of the state's Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis. He directed that pensions for these employees will now be credited directly into their bank accounts before the 10th of every month, a move expected to benefit over 3,000 pensioners by providing timely and predictable disbursal of their dues.

In addition to this reform, Finance Minister Cheema also approved the release of pending arrears for employees and pensioners of Zilla Parishads and Panchayat Samitis. The arrears will be disbursed in four instalments, following the policy framework already established for P...