Punjab Chief Secretary Faces Contempt Notice Over Delayed DA Payments
Punjabs Chief Secretary has been issued a contempt notice for failing to pay pending dearness allowances to government employees and pensioners.
Chandigarh, November 3 (Daily Kiran) : The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued a contempt notice to Punjab’s Chief Secretary, K.P. Sinha, for not complying with judicial directives regarding the pending dearness allowance (DA) payments for government employees and pensioners.
During a hearing on November 3, the court expressed its frustration over the continuous non-compliance with its earlier orders. Sinha has been instructed to submit a response by November 17, detailing the steps taken by the government to implement these directives.
This legal action arose from a contempt petition filed by government employees and pensioners, who alleged that despite clear judicial instructions, the government had failed to disburse their outstanding DA and dearness relief (DR) installments.
Sinha appeared before the court during the hearing, but the government’s explanation regarding the delays did not satisfy the judges. The government informed the court that it had challenged the High Court’s previous orders in the Supreme Court and had resolved procedural issues in its appeal.
This development suggests that the case may soon be heard by the Supreme Court. However, the High Court clarified that merely filing an appeal does not suspend the effect of its orders. Until the Supreme Court issues a stay on the directives, the state government is legally obligated to comply with them. The court also questioned the lack of concrete action taken to settle the outstanding payments, especially after multiple opportunities had been provided.
Tuesday’s proceedings are linked to a ruling from August 3, in which the court directed the state government and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) to issue all pending DA and DR installments to employees and pensioners at rates equivalent to those applicable to All India Service officers working in Punjab, following the central government‘s pattern.
The court mandated that payments be made within a fortnight and stated that any delays beyond the stipulated timeframe would incur simple interest at a rate of six percent per annum until the actual payment is made.
