Punjab Newsline | Chandiagrh/New Delhi
Supreme Court on Thursday (November 5) granted major relief to the Punjab government in the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) case involving state government employees and pensioners.
The apex court stayed both contempt proceedings initiated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court against the Punjab government and its Chief Secretary. As a result, no further action will be taken against the state government in either the criminal or civil contempt cases until further orders.
A Bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan directed the Punjab government to submit details of its liquidation plan by December 1.
The court also sought details from the state government regarding payments to employees scheduled to be made by March 31, 2027.
During the hearing, the Bench said it had examined the Punjab and Haryana High Court's orders dated October 12 and October 30, 2026, as well as the background of the dispute between the two sides.
The October 30 order had directed Punjab Chief Secretary to appear personally before the High Court on Thursday in connection with the criminal contempt proceedings.
After considering the matter, the Supreme Court stayed further proceedings in the criminal contempt case until further orders. It also directed that no coercive action be taken against the Punjab government in the civil contempt matter.
The order provides temporary relief to the state government in the ongoing dispute over the payment of pending DA dues to government employees and pensioners.
