Punjab govt gets no relief as HC refuses to stay DA order for employees, pensioners
PTC Web Desk: In a major setback to the Punjab Government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday refused to stay the single bench order directing the state to release 58 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) to government employees and pensioners on a par with IAS, IPS, IFS and judicial officers.
During the hearing, the division bench made it clear that it was not inclined to put a hold on the earlier ruling. However, the court observed that it could consider extending the June 30 deadline fixed by the single bench for releasing DA arrears, provided the Punjab Government submits a proper schedule explaining how and by when the payments would be made.
The High Court has asked the state government to file its response by Monday, May 25.
Earlier, on April 8, the single bench had ordered the Punjab government to grant 58 per cent DA to all government employees and pensioners on the same lines as officers from the IAS, IPS, IFS and judicial services. Challenging that decision, the Punjab government later approached the division bench of the High Court.
During Thursday’s hearing, the state government informed the court that it was willing to release the DA arrears but claimed that Punjab was currently facing financial difficulties.
Reacting sharply to the submission, the High Court questioned the repeated use of the financial crisis argument by the government. The bench remarked that if the state was facing such severe financial stress every time, then why not declare a financial emergency in Punjab.
The matter will now come up for further hearing after the government submits its detailed response before the court.
- PTC NEWS
