'State Of Punjab Has To Put Its House In Order': Punjab & Haryana HC As Govt Fails To Release Pensionary Benefits To Dependents Of Ex-Employee

A single bench comprising Justice Anil Kshetarpal remarked, "It is unfortunate that the dependents/heirs of an Ex-employee, who died in harness, are being made to run from pillar to post."

The bench further directed the State of Punjab to put its house in order otherwise, the Court would be forced to take a stronger action against them. "It is hoped that this order would serve as a wake-up call for the officers," stated the Court.

Justice Kshetrapal was adjudicating upon a writ petition filed by one Balbir Singh, the mother of a deceased government servant. She had moved the Court and in her prayer, had asked the Court to order the State Government to release her son's pensionary amounts and other admissible benefits.

The Counsel for the State of Punjab had contended that the reason why these sums had not been released is because an application has to be filed by the widow of the deceased for the sums to be released. This application, they averred, was never filed.

The Court here noted that the widow of the deceased had moved to Canada with her children. She had already signed an affidavit which stated that she had no objections for the release of pensionary sums, exclusively to the petitioner. Keeping this in mind, Justice Kshetrapal commented, "the petitioner's son died on 26.11.2016. This court is sad to observe that the officials have lost all the compassion."

The State of Punjab was directed to pay the total sums to the petitioner. The officers involved in this case stated that this would be done within one month.

Before disposing of the case, the Bench assured the petitioner that she could approach the Court once again if she finds any deficiencies in the pensionary sums.

Case Title: Balbir Kaur v. State of Punjab & Ors.

Click Here To Download Order

Read Order