New Delhi, November 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed further proceedings in the criminal contempt case initiated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court against Punjab Chief Secretary K.A.P. Sinha and other officials over the non-payment of pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears to government employees and pensioners.
A Bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan also directed that no coercive steps be taken against the Chief Secretary in the civil contempt proceedings, granting interim relief to the Punjab government in both matters.
However, the apex court asked the state government to present a concrete plan for disbursing the outstanding arrears by March 2027. The Bench indicated that it expected a positive response from the government on the payments.
“You got a breather. Come up with a positive response. How much will you release?” Justice Nagarathna-led Bench orally observed while adjourning the matter to December.
The Punjab government had approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s orders in civil and criminal contempt proceedings arising from the alleged failure to implement directions for releasing pending DA and Dearness Relief (DR) instalments.
During the civil contempt proceedings, the High Court had imposed costs of Rs 1 lakh on the Chief Secretary for failing to submit a compliance report in accordance with its earlier directions.
The contempt proceedings stem from an August 3 judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the state government and Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) to release all pending DA and DR instalments to employees and pensioners at rates equivalent to those applicable to All India Services officers serving in Punjab, in line with the Central government pattern.
The High Court had ordered the release of outstanding payments within a fortnight and stipulated that delays beyond the prescribed period would attract simple interest at 6 per cent per annum until actual payment.
Following the alleged non-compliance despite repeated opportunities, the High Court initiated contempt proceedings. On November 3, it issued a contempt notice to Chief Secretary Sinha and sought his response by November 17.
The state government had informed the High Court that it had challenged the August 3 judgment before the Supreme Court. However, the High Court had clarified that merely filing an appeal does not suspend its directions unless the apex court grants a stay.
Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday adjourned the criminal contempt matter after being informed that the Supreme Court was hearing the state government’s special leave petition challenging the contempt orders.
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