Tandon urges Chandigarh Administrator to ensure salaries to contractual, outsourced workers by 7th of every month

Chandigarh, September 29, 2026: Senior BJP leader Sanjay Tandon has urged Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria to issue suitable directions for ensuring

timely payment of salaries and wages to contractual, outsourced, DC-rate, daily-wage and other non-regular employees working across the Union Territory of Chandigarh.

In a letter to the Administrator, Tandon said he had received representations from several delegations and individuals regarding delays in the release of monthly salaries and wages. He said the issue affects workers engaged directly by departments as well as those working through authorised contractors and outsourcing agencies.

Tandon said the affected workforce includes contractual teachers and support staff, sanitation and housekeeping workers, security personnel, data-entry and office-support staff, drivers, technical and skilled workers, field workers, helpers and other personnel providing essential public services.

“The people working under contractual, outsourced, DC-rate and other non-regular arrangements are contributing every day to the functioning of Chandigarh’s public services. Their wages are not merely an administrative entry; for many families, they are the primary source of income for meeting essential household expenses,” Tandon said.

He said representations indicate that in some cases payments are not released within a fixed and predictable timeframe, with employees reportedly having to wait beyond the beginning of the following month. Tandon said prolonged delays can create financial difficulties for workers who have regular commitments such as rent, food, children's education, healthcare and transportation.

In the letter, Tandon has requested the Administrator to consider establishing a uniform and time-bound mechanism under which all eligible contractual and non-regular employees receive their salaries or wages by the 7th day of the succeeding month, subject to applicable service, financial and contractual rules.

“The Administration can bring greater certainty to the system by adopting a standardised monthly payment calendar. Salary and wage bills should be prepared, verified and processed within defined timelines so that procedural or administrative delays do not become a burden on employees,” he said.

The senior BJP leader has suggested that departments complete salary and wage-related formalities before the end of each month wherever attendance, service records and other required documentation are available. In cases involving contractors or outsourcing agencies, the concerned departments should monitor timely wage payment as part of applicable contractual obligations.

Tandon also proposed a department-wise monitoring mechanism to identify delayed payments and ensure prompt resolution. He requested that legitimate outstanding dues, wherever pending, be cleared at the earliest.

“There should also be a clear grievance mechanism through which an employee can report non-payment or delayed payment without having to repeatedly approach different offices. Accountability and transparency in the payment process will provide much-needed financial certainty to workers,” he said.

The proposed mechanism, Tandon said, should cover eligible personnel working in departments, boards, corporations, institutions and other establishments under the UT Administration, in accordance with applicable rules.

He expressed confidence that the Administrator’s intervention would provide relief to a large number of workers and strengthen the functioning of public services in Chandigarh.

ENDS