The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed its dissatisfaction with the Punjab government over delays in addressing an appeal related to the disbursement of Dearness Allowance (DA) to state employees. The delays are perceived as intentional, prompting the court to summon the state’s Chief Secretary. The appellate proceedings stem from the High Court’s earlier directive on August 3, which mandated the state to release all outstanding DA installments to employees and pensioners, matching the rates paid to the All India Services officers in Punjab.
The initial judgment also restricted the government from engaging in unnecessary expenditures, such as extensive advertising campaigns, until the due payments were made. The Punjab government challenged this decision in the Supreme Court, but the appeal, filed on September 1, has yet to be cleared for listing. The Division Bench, led by Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, noted on Tuesday that despite a prior extension on September 10 to resolve the appeal’s defects for listing, no progress had been made.
Chief Justice Mishra addressed the state’s counsel, emphasizing the importance of adhering to judicial orders and expressing concern over apparent delay tactics. The court was reviewing applications regarding the state’s non-compliance with the August 3 ruling, which required the Chief Secretary to submit a compliance report by August 31.
The Bench underscored that while the state has the right to pursue an appeal, it must do so expediently and without indefinite delays. Noting the lack of compliance, the court has summoned the Chief Secretary to appear on October 5, although it acknowledged that the state might seek interim relief from the Supreme Court.
Senior Advocate Sanjay Kaushal, representing one of the applicants, informed the court about an order from the Finance Department advising government departments against complying with court directives without its approval. He also presented newspaper clippings showing full-page advertisements by the Punjab government in Jammu and Ahmedabad, allegedly in violation of the court’s prior instructions.
In defense, Additional Advocate General Chanchal K Singla conveyed the state’s intent to amicably resolve the issue and requested two weeks to address the defects in the Supreme Court appeal.
