New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order in the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) dispute involving Punjab government employees and pensioners. The apex court also stayed the contempt proceedings initiated against the Punjab Chief Secretary in the matter.
The Supreme Court directed the Punjab government to submit a plan for clearing the outstanding DA by December 1. It further ordered the state to release the entire pending DA to employees and pensioners by March 31, 2027. The directions concern lakhs of state government employees and pensioners who have been awaiting payment of pending DA instalments.
Supreme Court Stays Contempt Proceedings Against Punjab Chief Secretary
The stay also covers the contempt proceedings ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the state’s Chief Secretary over the DA issue.
The state government has been asked to place its liquidation plan before the Supreme Court by December 1. The plan is expected to outline how the outstanding DA dues will be cleared within the court’s prescribed timeline.
Punjab Employees’ Unions Plan To Intensify Protest
The development comes amid continuing discontent among Punjab government employees over pending DA payments and other service-related demands. Employee groups have announced plans to intensify their agitation, with the release of outstanding DA instalments among their key demands.
The Supreme Court’s directions now place a deadline before the state government to present its payment plan and clear the pending dues.
