📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Harvinder Chandigarh
Politics
Punjab High Court Imposes ₹1 Lakh Fine on Principal Secretary Over Unpaid DA
✍️ Amar Ujala · Punjab
🗓 27 Oct 2026, 02:17 PM
👁 19
The Punjab High Court has slapped a ₹1 lakh fine on the state's Principal Secretary for failing to comply with orders on pending dearness allowance payments to government employees and pensioners, questioning why benefits were withheld.
Punjab High Court has issued a stern directive against the state’s Principal Secretary, levying a fine of ₹1 lakh for non‑compliance with directives concerning the payment of dearness allowance (DA) to government employees and pensioners.
The court cited repeated delays in releasing the pending DA, which has been a long‑standing grievance for public servants and retirees. It questioned why the state administration had withheld these benefits, despite clear orders to settle the arrears.
The decision underscores the judiciary’s willingness to enforce financial obligations towards public servants and signals that administrative lapses will attract monetary penalties.
While the court’s order is a significant step, officials have yet to respond publicly to the fine or outline a timetable for clearing the outstanding DA.
The court cited repeated delays in releasing the pending DA, which has been a long‑standing grievance for public servants and retirees. It questioned why the state administration had withheld these benefits, despite clear orders to settle the arrears.
The decision underscores the judiciary’s willingness to enforce financial obligations towards public servants and signals that administrative lapses will attract monetary penalties.
While the court’s order is a significant step, officials have yet to respond publicly to the fine or outline a timetable for clearing the outstanding DA.