PTC Web Desk: The dispute over the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears of Punjab government employees and pensioners has reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court again, with employees seeking action against officials for allegedly failing to comply with the court’s earlier directions.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor on Monday adjourned the hearing on the fresh application till Wednesday.

The application has been filed in the same appeal in which the High Court, in its August 3 order, had directed the Punjab government to release the pending DA arrears of government employees and pensioners within 15 days.

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During the hearing, counsel appearing for the employees told the court that the Punjab government had neither released the DA arrears within the stipulated period nor submitted the compliance report sought by the High Court.

The employees also alleged that the government was continuing to issue advertisements despite the court’s directions.

According to the employees’ counsel, the August 3 order had directed the government not to issue unnecessary advertisements until the pending DA arrears were released. The counsel argued that continuing to issue such advertisements amounted to a violation of the court’s directions.

The Bench said it would examine the issues raised in the application and hear the matter on Wednesday.

HC had given 15 days to release DA arrears

The High Court, while delivering its judgment on August 3, had directed the Punjab government to release the pending DA arrears within 15 days.

The court had also asked the government to take action by the end of August and submit a compliance report regarding the implementation of its directions.

However, the employees have now approached the court again, claiming that the arrears have not been released and that the government has not submitted the required report.

Employees seek contempt action against officials

In their fresh application, the employees have sought contempt proceedings against officials allegedly responsible for not complying with the High Court’s directions.

The employees have also alleged that the government is using the issue for political purposes instead of implementing the court’s order.

Meanwhile, a separate contempt petition has already been filed against the Punjab Chief Secretary, PSPCL Managing Director and Finance Secretary. The High Court has issued notices to the officials and sought their responses in that matter.

- PTC NEWS

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