📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Harvinder Chandigarh
Politics
Punjab High Court Halts State Advertising Until DA Paid to Employees
✍️ Bar and Bench
🗓 03 Aug 2026, 02:34 PM
👁 5
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has prohibited the Punjab government from launching large‑scale advertising campaigns until it settles Dearness Allowance payments to state employees and pensioners.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court issued an order today barring the Punjab government from undertaking any large‑scale advertising activities until Dearness Allowance (DA) payments to state employees and pensioners are cleared. The court cited the government's failure to meet its statutory obligations as the basis for the injunction.
Under the DA scheme, state workers and retirees are entitled to periodic increments to offset inflation. The court noted that the Punjab government has not honored these payments for several months, leading to legal action by the affected groups.
As a result, all state‑run advertising campaigns—whether billboards, public service announcements or digital promotions—are suspended pending the settlement of the arrears. The order is expected to pressure the government to expedite the pending payments.
The Punjab government has yet to issue a formal response to the ruling, but officials are reportedly reviewing the court's directive and preparing a plan to comply with the DA payment requirements.
Under the DA scheme, state workers and retirees are entitled to periodic increments to offset inflation. The court noted that the Punjab government has not honored these payments for several months, leading to legal action by the affected groups.
As a result, all state‑run advertising campaigns—whether billboards, public service announcements or digital promotions—are suspended pending the settlement of the arrears. The order is expected to pressure the government to expedite the pending payments.
The Punjab government has yet to issue a formal response to the ruling, but officials are reportedly reviewing the court's directive and preparing a plan to comply with the DA payment requirements.