Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema says state inherits Rs 14,191 crore DA arrears liability

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema told the media that the state has inherited a dearness allowance (DA) arrears liability of Rs 14,191 crore, stemming from a 2016 pay‑commission report that was only implemented in July 2021. The AAP‑led government has already paid more than Rs 6,000 crore under a High Court‑approved liquidation plan and says it will continue to settle all constitutionally valid dues.

In the same week, Cheema moved a resolution in the Punjab Legislative Assembly that blames the BJP‑led Union government for repeated high‑stakes examination paper leaks and related scandals. The resolution, passed unanimously, calls for restructuring the National Testing Agency, action against leak syndicates, and withdrawal of criminal cases against student protesters. Cheema highlighted the state’s merit‑based job creation and scholarship programmes as a contrast to the centre’s alleged failures.