The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to clear pending dearness allowance, or DA, arrears for state employees and pensioners within 15 days. The order puts a clear deadline on long-awaited payments and brings renewed focus to a major financial liability for the state.
Reports indicate the unpaid dues are estimated at around ₹15,000 crore. The case concerns arrears linked to employees and pensioners who have been awaiting payment, and the court’s direction means the state must now act within a fortnight.
The ruling is significant because it does not only set a timeline for payment, but also reportedly provides for a penalty if the deadline is missed. According to the details available, delayed payment beyond the court’s timeline could attract 6% interest, increasing the pressure on the state administration to settle the dues quickly.
The order is likely to be closely watched by government staff, retirees and financial planners in Punjab, as the size of the pending DA arrears could have a notable impact on the state’s finances. For employees and pensioners, the decision marks an important development in the long-running issue of unpaid dearness allowance dues.
