The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has welcomed the historic decision of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the Punjab government to release pending Dearness Allowance (DA) dues to employees and pensioners, stating that the court has once again become the only hope for justice for common people and government employees in Punjab.
NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal said it is unfortunate that lakhs of employees and pensioners had to knock at the doors of the High Court for benefits that were legally and morally their right. He said the Punjab government kept avoiding the issue for months and continued to make excuses about financial constraints while selectively providing benefits to top officers and officials.
Chahal stated that the High Court clearly observed that Dearness Allowance is not charity but a legitimate right of employees who have devoted their lives to public service. The court also rejected the state government’s plea of financial hardship and ordered that all employees and pensioners should receive DA at par with senior officers such as IAS, IPS, IFS officers and judicial officials.
He questioned why ordinary employees in Punjab are repeatedly forced to approach courts even for their basic rights and dues. “Why should employees spend years fighting legal battles for justice? Why is the government not delivering justice voluntarily to those who deserve it? If courts have to intervene in every matter related to salaries, pensions and allowances, then serious questions arise about the functioning and priorities of the government,” Chahal said.
The NAPA leader further said that governments should work for the welfare of employees and pensioners instead of creating unnecessary hurdles. He added that employees are already struggling with inflation, rising household expenses, education costs and healthcare burdens, and delaying DA payments only increases their suffering. The High Court rightly observed that inflation affects every employee equally and discrimination in the payment of DA cannot be justified.
Chahal also expressed concern that while the Punjab government continues taking large loans and borrowings, employees and pensioners are still waiting for their rightful dues. He said this reflects poor financial management and misplaced priorities.
NAPA has urged the Punjab government to immediately implement the High Court orders in letter and spirit without any further delay or attempts to prolong the matter through technicalities.
Chahal said the government must understand that justice delayed is justice denied, and employees should not be compelled to repeatedly seek judicial intervention for their constitutional and financial rights.