Punjab Chief Secretary Fined Rs 1 Lakh Over DA Arrears Delay
The Punjab and Haryana High Court imposes a Rs 1 lakh fine on the Punjab Chief Secretary for failing to pay DA arrears to employees and pensioners.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a stern stand against the Punjab government for its failure to clear the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears for state employees and pensioners. In a significant move, the court imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the Punjab Chief Secretary for non-compliance with previous judicial directions regarding the disbursement of these benefits.
Contempt Petition Sparks Legal Battle
The matter came to light during the hearing of a contempt petition filed by Nirmal Singh Dhillon, a retired Chief Engineer of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). The petition alleged that the state government had willfully ignored court orders concerning the payment of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR).
During the proceedings before Justice Harsh Bunger, the legal counsel representing the affected employees argued that the Punjab government was intentionally employing delaying tactics to avoid fulfilling its financial obligations to its workforce and retirees.
Court Slams Government's "Delaying Tactics"
A critical point raised during the hearing was the status of the state government's legal challenge. The counsel pointed out that the Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state before the Supreme Court had been languishing on the "defect list" for over two months, suggesting a lack of genuine effort to resolve the matter legally.
Justice Bunger expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government's approach, questioning the disparity in how benefits were handled. The court specifically asked why the government had withheld DA/DR benefits from general employees and pensioners while the senior officials of the administration continued to receive their benefits without such restrictions.
Strict Directives and Personal Appearance
Beyond the monetary penalty, the High Court has demanded accountability from the top brass of the state administration. The court has ordered the Chief Secretary of Punjab to:
- Submit a personal affidavit explaining the reasons behind the failure to implement the High Court's directions.
- Appear personally before the court for the next hearing.
The Chief Secretary is now required to be present in court on November 3, 2026, as the legal battle over the long-awaited arrears continues.