BJP Leader Welcomes High Court Order on Pending Dearness Allowance for Punjab Employees
Chandigarh: BJP national general secretary Tarun Chugh on Wednesday strongly welcomed the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directive to the Punjab government, ordering the release of pending dearness allowance (DA) instalments for state employees and pensioners. Chugh asserted that the court's verdict has starkly exposed what he termed the "anti-employee mindset" of the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab.
Court Directs Release of Five Pending Instalments
In an official statement, Chugh detailed that the high court has clearly instructed the state administration to release five pending DA instalments that have been withheld. Furthermore, the court mandated ensuring parity in dearness allowance between regular employees, pensioners, and officers from elite services like the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS), and judicial officers.
Chugh emphasized that dearness allowance is a "statutory right" and not a discretionary benefit. He accused the Punjab government of intentionally withholding these legitimate financial dues owed to its workforce and retirees, an action he claimed has plunged many into severe financial distress and hardship.
Allegations of Discrimination and Injustice
"DA is not a favour but a legal entitlement. Denying it amounts to injustice," Chugh stated unequivocally. He raised pointed questions regarding the alleged disparity in treatment, asking why full dearness allowance had reportedly been granted to senior bureaucrats and judicial officers while ordinary state employees and pensioners were made to wait indefinitely for their dues.
The BJP leader argued that the necessity for judicial intervention reflects very poorly on the state government's priorities and governance. He accused the Mann administration of neglecting the welfare of its employees while allegedly focusing its energies and resources on "propaganda and political agendas."
Demand for Immediate Compliance
Chugh demanded prompt and full compliance with the high court's directives. He urged the Punjab government to release all pending dearness allowance dues to employees and pensioners without any further delay. His statement concluded with a call to ensure that the state's workforce is not forced to repeatedly seek legal recourse from the courts to secure benefits that are rightfully theirs by law.
