Punjab DA arrears not released despite High Court orders; contempt notices issued to to Chief Secy, Finance Secy
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued contempt notices to Punjab Chief Secretary, Finance Secretary and PSPCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director over alleged non-compliance with its directions concerning the release of Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears to government employees and pensioners.
The matter relates to the court’s August 3 order directing the Punjab government to release the pending DA arrears within 15 days.
A contempt petition has been filed against the Punjab Government, alleging that the DA arrears were not released even after the 15-day deadline set by the High Court.
On August 3, a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor had directed the state government to release the DA arrears to the government employees concerned and pensioners within 15 days.
According to the petitioners, the deadline has passed, but the payments have not been made, which they have described as non-compliance with the court's directions.
The petitioners have also referred to a letter issued by the Under Secretary of the Finance Department on Thursday.
According to the petition, the letter instructed all Additional and Principal Secretaries that no funds should be released without the Finance Department’s approval in connection with the High Court's order.
The employees and pensioners have argued that the communication itself amounts to non-compliance with the court's directions.
Through the contempt petition, the petitioners have urged the High Court to initiate contempt proceedings against the officials responsible for allegedly failing to implement the August 3 order.
The latest development comes amid the continuing dispute over the payment of DA arrears to Punjab government employees and pensioners.
After hearing the matter, the High Court has fixed October 27 as the next date of hearing.
- PTC NEWS
