Chandigarh, Jan. 1 -- The Punjab government employees have not received a single dearness allowance (DA) hike since October 1, 2024, when it was hiked from 38% to 42%.

Since then, no further hike has been announced for the state employees, while the top bureaucrats posted in the state continue to receive DA at par with central government employees. Traditionally, the Punjab government used to revise DA twice a year.

From January 1, the central government employees began receiving 61% DA, while Punjab government employees continue to draw only 42% DA, a 19% gap between the two.

"Since October 2024, the central government has increased DA four times," said Prof Kesar Singh Bhangu, a retired professor of economics, adding, "While a deputy...