Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken a strict view of the Punjab government’s alleged non-compliance with its directions on pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) payments to government employees and pensioners.
The court has directed Punjab’s Chief Secretary to appear personally before it after noting that the required compliance affidavit had not been filed despite its earlier directions. The Chief Secretary may, however, be exempted from personal appearance if the state obtains relief from the Supreme Court.
The matter relates to petitions concerning pending DA/DR payments by the Punjab government and the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL).
High Court Had Ordered DA, DR Payments Within Two Weeks
In its August 3 order, a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor directed Punjab and PSPCL to release all up-to-date pending DA/DR instalments to employees and pensioners at the rates applicable to All India Services officers serving in Punjab, following the Central Government pattern.
The court gave the authorities a fortnight to make the payments. It also directed that unpaid amounts would attract simple interest at 6% per annum if the deadline was missed. The Chief Secretary was specifically tasked with ensuring compliance and filing an affidavit before the court.
State Filed Appeal But Registry Issues Remain
During the subsequent proceedings, the state informed the court that an appeal had been filed on September 1. However, the deficiencies pointed out by the court registry had reportedly not yet been rectified.
The state sought additional time to address the issues.
The High Court had earlier dismissed the state’s appeals against the Single Bench judgment and affirmed directions requiring payment of pending DA/DR. The August 3 judgment also rejected the state’s approach of spreading admitted arrears over an extended liquidation plan.
Court Questions Delay In Clearing Employee Dues
The proceedings also focused on the argument that the state was entitled to challenge the judgment. The court observed that while the government has the right to appeal, that right cannot be used to keep implementation of the directions pending indefinitely.
The court’s August judgment held that Punjab had adopted the Central Government pattern for DA/DR and could not indefinitely withhold accrued instalments.
Dispute Over Government Advertising Expenditure
The petitioners also raised the issue of government advertisements, including full-page advertisements issued around Independence Day.
The High Court had directed that until the outstanding dues were cleared, Punjab should avoid unproductive expenditure such as large-scale advertising campaigns in print and social media.
The latest direction requiring the Chief Secretary’s personal appearance comes against the backdrop of the court’s repeated emphasis on compliance with its DA/DR payment orders.
