Punjab Raises Computer Teachers' DA to 221%, a 40-Point Hikeਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਕੰਪਿਊਟਰ ਅਧਿਆਪਕਾਂ ਦਾ DA ਵਧ ਕੇ 221 ਫ਼ੀਸਦੀ

Punjab has raised the dearness allowance (DA) of 6,507 computer teachers by 40 percentage points, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced on Saturday, November 7. The rate for teachers under the Punjab Information and Communication Technology Education Society (PICTES) goes from 181 per cent to 221 per cent, billed as a Diwali gift.

What did the government announce?

In a statement and a social media post, Mann called it a historic increase for the 6,507 PICTES computer teachers. The government also said it has regularised the services of 1,007 non-teaching employees working under Samagra Shiksha, the centrally sponsored school education programme, to give them greater job security. Reports differ slightly on timing: the employees' regularisation was described as having been done a little earlier.

How much more will teachers earn?

Punjab Newsline reported that a teacher on a basic salary of Rs 15,000 would get about Rs 6,000 more a month, and one on Rs 25,000 about Rs 10,000 more, with gains of up to about Rs 14,000 at higher pay levels. These are calculations by the outlet from the new rate, not figures in the government statement.

How does it fit the wider DA debate?

The Tribune noted that the announcement came without any update on the pending DA of regular government employees. India Today said it follows a separate three-percentage-point DA increase this week for around eight lakh state employees and pensioners. Employee unions have long pressed the government on DA arrears, so the Diwali timing is being read against that backdrop.

Who are PICTES computer teachers?

PICTES is the society that runs computer education in Punjab's government schools, and its teachers are paid through the society rather than the regular cadre. That is why their DA rate is set separately, and why it stands far above the standard rate.

How much has the DA of Punjab computer teachers risen?

By 40 percentage points, from 181 per cent to 221 per cent, for 6,507 PICTES teachers, according to Chief Minister Mann.

Who else gets a benefit in this announcement?

1,007 non-teaching employees under Samagra Shiksha, whose services have been regularised for greater job security.

Is there a DA hike for regular government employees too?

A separate three-percentage-point DA rise for about eight lakh employees and pensioners was announced earlier this week, India Today reported; the Tribune said no update was given on pending DA for them in this announcement.