Punjab DA Arrears: High Court Slams Govt, Issues Contempt Notice to Chief Secretary
Punjab and Haryana High Court issues contempt notice to Chief Secretary over unpaid DA arrears for employees and pensioners.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a stern view of the Punjab government's failure to release pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears for its employees and pensioners. In a significant move, the court has issued a contempt notice to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, demanding a clear explanation for the non-compliance of previous judicial orders.
Court Demands Immediate Compliance
During the proceedings on Tuesday, the bench addressed the ongoing dispute regarding the unpaid DA arrears. The court directed the Chief Secretary, who was present during the hearing, to file a compliance affidavit within 10 days. This directive comes as a response to the state's failure to adhere to the court's earlier order dated August 3.
The matter has now been scheduled for its next hearing on November 17, leaving the state administration with a tight window to prove its compliance.
The State's Defense and the 'Freebie' Debate
Representing the State of Punjab, officials informed the court that they are in the process of moving the matter to the apex court. They stated that a Special Leave Petition (SLP) is ready for filing after rectifying procedural defects and is expected to be listed before the Supreme Court shortly after Diwali.
However, the counsel for the petitioners painted a different picture. They argued that while the state claims a financial emergency to justify withholding employee dues, it continues to spend public funds on "freebies." The petitioners urged the court to restrain the government from such expenditures while the legitimate dues of workers and pensioners remain unpaid.
A History of Delays and Penalties
This latest contempt notice is not an isolated incident. The court has previously expressed extreme dissatisfaction with the state's administrative delays. Senior Advocate Sunny Singla noted that the case returned to the High Court because employees were forced to seek action against officials who ignored the August 3 mandate.
The legal battle gained momentum through a contempt petition filed by Nirmal Singh Dhillon, a retired Chief Engineer of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL). During previous hearings, the court observed that the state government appeared to be using delaying tactics, pointing out that the state's SLP had remained on a "defect list" for over two months.
Stern Observations by the Bench
The court's frustration reached a peak in October, leading Justice Harsh Bunger to impose a fine of Rs 1 lakh on the Punjab Chief Secretary for non-compliance. The bench raised a poignant question regarding equity in the administration, asking why DA/DR benefits were being withheld from general employees and pensioners while senior officials continued to receive their benefits.
As the deadline for the compliance affidavit looms, the Punjab government faces intense judicial scrutiny over its financial priorities and its treatment of the state's workforce.