The Punjab & Haryana High Court today summoned Punjab's Chief Secretary over delay in payment of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) to State Employees.

In August, the High Court had dismissed a batch of Letters Patent Appeals filed by the Punjab Government and Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), affirming that once the State adopted the Central Government pattern for grant of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief, it incurred a binding obligation to release the accrued instalments and could not defer them indefinitely under the guise of financial constraint.

Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor was hearing an application filed over non-compliance of the above judgement wherein the High Court had directed to release DA, at par with Central Government employees.

During the hearing, counsel for the petitioner apprised the bench that till date, the State has not removed the objections raised in the SLP filed by the State of Punjab in Supreme Court. He further submitted that despite the orders passed by the High Court regarding unproductive expenditure, the State has issued advertisements in newspapers on 15 August 2026, in different states.

"Though we respect the right of the State to pursue its remedy of appeal but that right must be exercised fairly and the proceedings cannot be adjourned indefinitely for the purpose," the bench said. 

Additional Advocate General Chanchal Singla apprised the Court that meetings of the employees with CM Punjab had been held regarding the issue of DA and that efforts were being made to resolve the matter amicably.

The Court thereafter adjourned the matter to 5 October 2026 and directed the Chief Secretary, Punjab, to remain personally present before the Court on the next date of hearing.

Title: ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVT. OF PUNJAB Vs NIRMAL SINGH DHANOA AND OTHERS