DA Arrears, Old Pension Scheme: Punjab Congress Announces Protest
Chandigarh, September 4, 2026: The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has announced a major protest march in Chandigarh on September 8 against the state government over pending Dearness Allowance (DA) dues, implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) and show-cause notices issued to employee union leaders.
Senior Congress leader Hardip Singh Kingra, along with Punjab Congress SC Department Chairman Gurpreet Singh Lucky Pakho, announced the protest while addressing the media at Punjab Congress Bhawan.
Congress workers and supporters will assemble at Punjab Congress Bhawan, Sector 15, Chandigarh, at 10:30 AM. The protesters will then march towards the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and the Chief Minister’s Office.
DA Arrears and OPS Among Key Demands
Kingra said the protest will primarily seek immediate payment of pending DA instalments and arrears, complete implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and withdrawal of show-cause notices issued to leaders of employee unions.
He appealed to Congress workers, government employees, pensioners, youth and the general public to participate in the march.
Congress Targets AAP Government
During the press conference, Kingra also levelled several allegations against the AAP-led Punjab government, accusing it of “institutional corruption and state terrorism”. These claims were made by Kingra and represent the Congress leader’s allegations.
He raised concerns over the alleged treatment of women journalists in custody and referred to the reported detention of TV9 media team members Shaheen Khan and Nafeesa Khan by Delhi Police. Kingra alleged that the journalists were targeted because they are Muslim and described the incident as an attack on press freedom.
Allegations Over Custodial Treatment
On Punjab, Kingra referred to an incident involving Sikh youth Mohanjeet Singh during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s public event at Sheron village in Sunam. He alleged that Singh was detained and subjected to custodial torture after raising questions about governance.
Punjab Congress demanded an impartial CBI inquiry into the allegations and called for suspension and criminal action against officials found responsible, subject to investigation.
More Allegations of Corruption
Kingra also levelled allegations concerning Punjab’s excise and liquor policy, claiming that an illegal distillery network generated illicit profits of more than ₹300 crore.
He further alleged that a “cash-for-transfer” network was operating in the transfer of IAS, IPS, PCS and DSP officers and claimed that confidential Cabinet files were being leaked. These allegations were attributed to Kingra.
He also alleged corruption in Regional Transport Authorities (RTAs) and Automated Driving Test Centres, claiming that citizens were being harassed during inspections while licences were issued or renewed through bribery.
Congress Seeks Probe Into Other Allegations
Kingra also referred to alleged National Human Rights Commission intervention and judicial observations concerning a purported ₹5-crore transaction allegedly linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann. He demanded a time-bound judicial and CBI probe into the matter.
The September 8 march is expected to focus primarily on employee-related demands, particularly pending DA dues and implementation of the Old Pension Scheme, while Congress has also used the occasion to raise wider allegations against the Punjab government.
