A move that has sparking intense debate across the provinces, the Punjab Higher Education Commission (PHEC) had proposed a staggering salary increase for its top-tier officers and staffs. Reported indicate a planned hike ranging from 75% to 85%, a figure that dwarfing the standard 10% increments usually saw in provincial budget.
As the Punjab grappled with budget constraints in its critical sectors like healthcare and primary education, this Punjab Higher Education Commission pay raise has came under heavy fire from critics and finance officials like.
The Breakdown: Rs700,000 Monthly Salaries for Directors?
The proposed PHEC officers salary increase is not just a minor adjustment. According to the data reporting on Wednesday, the new pay scales would reaches unprecedented levels for the 114 employees covered under the plan:
- Director’s Monthly Pay: Proposed to rise to approximately Rs700,000.
- Director General: Slated to receive roughly Rs647,000.
- Senior Officials: Monthly compensation would range between Rs400,000 and Rs600,000.
Annual Cost to the Taxpayer
The total of financial impact of this PHEC staff salary proposal are estimated at Rs280 million to Rs300 million annually. What made this particularly controversial is that the hike benefits only an small group of 114 individuals, while the broader education sector struggles with funding for basical infrastructure.
Bypassing Official Channels? Concerns Over E-A-T and Compliance
A major point of contention is the procedural legitimacy of this Punjab HEC salary hike 2026. Sources suggest the proposal is moving forward without the necessary formal approval from:
- The Finance Department
- The Higher Education Department (HED)
In the past, finance officials have blocked similar attempts to raise salaries, citing “rule violations” and the lack of a legal framework for such massive deviations from standard provincial pay scales.
Current Perks vs. Proposed Increases
PHEC employees are already considered among the most well-compensated public servants in the province. Their current package includes:
- 150-liter monthly fuel allowance.
- Comprehensive medical benefits.
- 20% annual increments.
Comparatively, these perks already place them higher than typical provincial bureaucrats, leading to questions regarding the necessity of an additional 85% boost.
Public and Expert Reaction: A Strain on Resources?
The PHEC budget impact salary increase has raised eyebrows among economic experts. With the Punjab government recently focusing on “austerity measures” to manage inflation, a 300-million-rupee spike for just over a hundred employees seems contradictory.
“At a time when we are seeing scholarship cuts and fee hikes in universities, such a massive salary proposal at the commission level is hard to justify,” noted a senior education analyst.
FAQs: Punjab HEC Salary Hike 2026
How many employees will benefit from the PHEC salary hike?
Only 114 officers and staff members are included in this specific proposal.
Have the Punjab Finance’s Department approved the 85% raise?
No, reports indicate the proposal are currently moving forwards without official approval from the Finance or Higher Education departmental.
How do this compare to the standard government salary increase?
While the general Punjab Budget 2025-26 proposed a 10% increase for most employees, this specific PHEC proposal seeks a hike of up to 85%.
Also Read: Punjab Introduces New Subject in All Schools: A Historic Digital Leap into the AI Era
Conclusion: Balancing Incentives and Ethics
While competitive salaries are necessary to attract top talent to the Punjab Higher Education Commission, the scale of this proposal during a period of economic tightening is significant. Whether the government will step in to halt the “historic” pay raise remains to be seen.