Chandigarh: In a relief to contractual employees working in Punjab’s district de-addiction centres and rehabilitation societies, the state government on Monday announced the suspension of its earlier decision to recover the State Development Tax (SDT) retrospectively.
Last week, the Punjab Health Department had issued instructions for the recovery of SDT at the rate of ₹200 per month with retrospective effect. The move had triggered protests from employee unions, who argued that they should not bear the financial burden for the department’s prior administrative lapse.
Employee Unions Oppose Retrospective Recovery
According to an official communication from the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, the department received multiple representations from the union of contractual employees opposing retrospective recovery. The matter is now under consideration, and the department has sought guidance from the state government.
The official order issued by the Director of Health Services, Punjab, stated:
“It has been decided that no retrospective recovery on account of State Development Tax shall be made from the salaries or remuneration of staff working in drug de-addiction centres and rehabilitation societies until receipt of necessary advice from the government. Accordingly, the status quo as existing on date shall be maintained.”
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Prospective SDT Deduction to Continue
While retrospective deductions have been halted, the health department clarified that the SDT will continue to be deducted at ₹200 per month on a prospective basis, as per the Punjab State Development Tax Act, 2018.
Employee Response and Demands
Parminder Singh, state president of the De-addiction Employees’ Union, Punjab, welcomed the decision but stressed that the union is seeking the complete withdrawal of retrospective recovery. He said, “We are being punished for an administrative lapse of the government.”
The decision comes in the wake of strong resentment expressed by contractual employees, who had warned of protests over the retrospective deduction. The government’s latest move is seen as a significant step to ease tensions and maintain employee morale in de-addiction centres and rehabilitation societies across the state.
