In recent years, public concern has grown in Punjab over how certain government officers manage to accumulate wealth far beyond their official salaries. The people’s question is simple yet powerful: When the official salaries of officers are already substantial, how do some of them still end up owning assets worth crores? This question strikes at the very heart of corruption and misuse of public office—a disease that continues to drain Punjab’s economy and destroy public faith in governance.
According to official pay structures under the 7th Pay Commission, the salaries and allowances of officers in Punjab are already among the most generous in the country. An IAS officer in Punjab typically earns a basic salary of around ₹56,100 per month at the entry level, which can rise to more than ₹2,00,000 for senior positions. Along with this, they receive various allowances, including dearness allowance, travel allowance, and house rent allowance, which can push their monthly earnings to nearly ₹90,000 or more. Similarly, an IPS officer of equivalent rank receives nearly the same structure, as both IAS and IPS officers share the same central pay matrix.
Moving to the state services, the Punjab Civil Services (PCS) cadre officers—such as Revenue Officers, SDMs, and Tehsildars—also receive handsome salaries. A Tehsildar in Punjab earns a basic salary of around ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 per month, and after adding allowances, their take-home pay can be between ₹55,000 and ₹65,000. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), who is generally an IAS or senior PCS officer, earns around ₹56,100 as basic pay, with total monthly income often exceeding ₹90,000 when allowances are included. Similarly, in the law enforcement hierarchy, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Punjab earns an average gross salary ranging from ₹70,000 to ₹1,20,000 per month depending on seniority and location of posting.
These are respectable and competitive salaries by any measure, meant to ensure that officers live with dignity and independence. However, the real issue arises when certain officers are found to possess assets, land, or businesses far exceeding what their declared income could possibly justify. This gap between lawful earnings and actual wealth accumulation points to the darker side of governance—where misuse of power, bribery, and illegal commissions become hidden sources of personal enrichment. It is this unchecked greed that has led to repeated cases of corruption being exposed among high-ranking officials.
While some officers may claim that their wealth comes from ancestral property or legitimate investments, many fail to provide convincing documentation. It is often discovered that money has been siphoned off from public projects, land deals, or tenders. In a state like Punjab, where land revenue administration and police postings carry immense influence, the temptation for illegal earnings can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, the public has seen many instances where honest officers are sidelined, while those skilled in manipulation rise quickly through the ranks.
It is important to recognize that not all officers are corrupt—many serve with dedication, integrity, and sacrifice. Yet, the few who misuse their authority bring disrepute to the entire system. The people’s frustration grows when they see luxurious lifestyles of certain officers who officially earn only a few lakhs a year but live in mansions and drive expensive cars. This visible disparity creates public anger and breeds mistrust toward the government machinery as a whole.
To restore faith in the system, Punjab must take bold and transparent steps. Every senior official should be required to publicly declare their assets and sources of income each year, and these declarations must be verified by independent agencies. The Vigilance Bureau and the Lokayukta should be strengthened to act without political interference. Any officer found guilty of corruption or possessing disproportionate assets should face immediate suspension and legal action. The government must also reward and protect officers known for their honesty, ensuring that integrity, not influence, determines career progression.
Punjab’s people deserve a clean, accountable administration where public service is treated as a sacred duty, not an opportunity for personal gain. The question of how officers collect more money than their salary should never have to be asked again. If transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership become the pillars of governance, Punjab can free itself from the shadow of corruption and once again shine as a model of fairness, justice, and good governance.