Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday reserved its verdict on a batch of petitions concerning the long-pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) dues owed to Punjab government employees and pensioners. A bench concluded the hearings after listening to extensive legal arguments presented by counsel representing the aggrieved service unions and pensioners, as well as representatives standing for the Punjab state administration. The court indicated that the final judicial order would be pronounced in the coming days.
The legal proceedings center on the non-disbursement and delayed release of DA and DR installments recommended under the 6th Punjab Pay Commission framework. Petitioners argued before the court that Dearness Allowance constitutes a statutory entitlement designed to offset inflationary pressures rather than an optional financial benefit, stressing that arbitrary delays in releasing approved instalments have caused financial hardship. In response, the state government presented its arguments regarding administrative schedules and fiscal considerations involved in clearing backlogs.
The judicial outcome is being monitored closely by approximately 3.5 lakh serving government personnel and more than 4 lakh pensioners across Punjab. Given the large demographic affected, the judgment holds significant financial implications for both the state exchequer and the beneficiaries awaiting their statutory dues.
