Punjab Congress announces massive Sept 8 protest over DA, Old Pension scheme
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 4, 2026: The Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee has announced a massive protest march on September 8 against the state government over the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) dues and implementation of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS).
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 on Thursday.
The protesters will assemble at Punjab Congress Bhawan, Sector 15, Chandigarh, at 10:30 AM and march towards the Deputy Commissioner’s Office and the Chief Minister’s Office.
Kingra said the protest would focus on the immediate payment of pending DA instalments and arrears, complete implementation of the Old Pension Scheme and withdrawal of show-cause notices issued to employee union leaders.
Kingra Accuses AAP Government of ‘State Terrorism’, Corruption
During his address, Kingra also launched a strong attack on the AAP government, accusing it of “institutional corruption and state terrorism”.
He condemned the alleged assault and humiliation of women journalists in custody, referring to the reported treatment of TV9 media team members Shaheen Khan and Nafeesa Khan by Delhi Police. He alleged that the journalists were targeted because they are Muslim and termed the incident an attack on press freedom and democratic values.
On Punjab, Kingra raised allegations regarding an incident involving Sikh youth Mohanjeet Singh during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s public event at village Sheron in Sunam. He alleged that Singh was detained and subjected to severe custodial torture after raising questions about governance.
Punjab Congress demanded an impartial CBI inquiry into the allegations and sought immediate suspension and criminal action against officials found responsible.
Kingra also alleged large-scale corruption in the state’s excise and liquor policy, claiming that more than ₹300 crore in illicit profits were generated through an illegal distillery network.
He further alleged, citing digital evidence presented by central agencies before the High Court, that a “cash-for-transfer” network was operating for the transfers of IAS, IPS, PCS and DSP officers and that confidential Cabinet files were being leaked.
Raising another issue, Kingra alleged that corruption was prevalent in Regional Transport Authorities and Automated Driving Test Centres, with citizens allegedly being harassed during inspections while licences were issued or renewed through bribery.
He also referred to alleged National Human Rights Commission intervention and judicial observations regarding a purported ₹5-crore transaction allegedly linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann, claiming that the matter warrants a time-bound judicial and CBI probe.
Kingra appealed to Congress workers, employee unions, youth and the general public to join the September 8 protest and march in support of government employees and pensioners.