# Punjab employees protest as OPS, DA promises haunt AAP 2026-08-08T06:44:16+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Hundreds of Punjab government employees and pensioners protested in Chandigarh on Friday over the AAP government's failure to restore the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), release 18% pending dearness allowance (DA), and regularise contractual staff. Police used water cannons to stop the marchers from reaching the Punjab Assembly during its monsoon session. The protest, organised by the Punjab Mulazam and Pensioners Front and Sanjha Mulazam Manch, caused traffic chaos, blocking roads from Max Hospital to Zirakpur Chowk and other routes. The Punjab and Haryana High Court on August 3 ordered the state to clear all DA arrears, estimated at ₹14,000 crore, within a fortnight, barring unproductive spending like ad campaigns until dues are paid. The court also warned of 6% annual interest on default. A government spokesperson said a meeting between Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and protesting employees is scheduled for August 27. Opposition parties, including Congress, Akali Dal, and BJP, criticised the AAP government for breaking promises and alleged misuse of public funds. ## Coverage - thehindu.com - hindustantimes.com Tags: AAP, dearness allowance, government employees, Old Pension Scheme, protest, Punjab Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-employees-protest-ops-da-dues-ahead-of-2027-polls/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/punjab-employees-protest-ops-da-dues-ahead-of-2027-polls/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.