The Punjab government has approved an interest-free wheat loan for Class-IV (Group-D) staff across the state to support their household food needs, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Wednesday.
In a statement, Cheema said the Bhagwant Mann government will provide a minimum interest-free loan of Rs 10,340 to eligible Group-D employees for buying wheat. The amount has been calculated on the basis of the government’s standard estimate of an average consumption of four quintals of wheat per family.
Sharing details of the implementation and budget allocation, the Finance Minister said employees will be allowed to draw the loan amount from the government treasury until May 29, 2026. He added that a budget provision of Rs 15 crore has been earmarked for the 2026-27 financial year to ensure smooth implementation of the welfare measure.
"The loan recovery process is structured to minimise the financial burden on employees, with deductions scheduled across eight monthly instalments. These deductions will begin with the June salary (paid in July), ensuring the full loan recovery concludes before the current fiscal year ends," he said.
"The welfare of our employees remains our government's top priority, and we will consistently strive to uphold initiatives that guarantee their support and financial well-being," he added.
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