Punjab HC Fines Chief Secretary ₹1 Lakh Over DA Arrears
The High Court seeks an explanation for the delay in implementing orders on Dearness Allowance and Relief for government employees and pensioners.
- Punjab and Haryana High Court imposes a ₹1 lakh fine on Punjab’s Chief Secretary.
- The case concerns pending DA and DR benefits for government employees and pensioners.
- The court seeks a personal affidavit explaining the alleged non-compliance.
- The Chief Secretary must appear personally on November 3, 2026.
GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 27th Oct: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on Punjab’s Chief Secretary over the alleged non-compliance with its orders concerning pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) benefits for government employees and pensioners.
Hearing a contempt petition filed by Nirmal Singh Dhillon, a retired Chief Engineer of Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), Justice Harsh Bunger took a stern view of the state government’s failure to implement the court’s directions.
The court also directed the Chief Secretary to submit a personal affidavit explaining why the orders had not been implemented. He has been asked to appear personally before the court on November 3, 2026, when the matter will be heard again.
State Accused of Delaying Implementation
During the hearing, counsel representing the employees alleged that the Punjab government was adopting delaying tactics to avoid implementing the High Court’s orders on DA and DR arrears.
The counsel also pointed out that the state government’s Special Leave Petition (SLP) before the Supreme Court had remained on the defect list for more than two months.
After hearing both sides, the High Court directed the Chief Secretary to explain the delay and imposed the financial penalty over the alleged non-compliance.
Court Questions Withholding of Employee Benefits
During the proceedings, the court questioned why DA and DR benefits had been withheld from employees and pensioners while similar benefits for senior government officials had not been withheld.
The observations came as the court examined the contempt petition relating to the implementation of its earlier directions.
The Chief Secretary’s personal appearance and affidavit are now expected to be central to the next hearing on November 3.
