Punjab Finance Department Faces Judicial Scrutiny Over Delayed Pension Arrears
*Chandigarh, October 22, 2024* – The Punjab Finance Department has come under legal examination following a contempt petition filed by Balwant Singh and others against the department's failure to release arrears related to the Sixth Pay Commission. The case, COCP No. 3526 of 2024, was heard by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
During the proceedings, Ajoy Kumar Sinha, IAS, Principal Secretary of the Department of Finance, Punjab Civil Secretariat, appeared through video conferencing. A compliance report dated October 21, 2024, was submitted on his behalf, highlighting the government's plan to clear the arrears by the financial years 2029-30 or 2030-31.
The delay has raised concerns as the arrears date back to 2016, and the proposed timeline stretches over 15 years. The court pointed out that the Seventh Pay Commission could be implemented by 2026-27, further complicating the arrear situation. The court found the proposed schedule unreasonable and did not align with previous court directions.
The government has been granted a week to reconsider its position, and the case has been listed for urgent hearing on October 29, 2024.
