Court Orders State of Punjab to Decide on DA Arrears for Petitioners
**Chandigarh, Jobsoftoday August 27, 2025]** - The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the State of Punjab to review a representation seeking the grant of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) arrears to a group of petitioners. The order was issued in a petition filed by Nirmal Singh Dhanoa and others against the State of Punjab and others.
The petitioners are requesting that the respondents be directed to provide DA/DR at specific rates from earlier dates, with a list of requested rates and effective dates, including 125% from January 1, 2016, and 28% from July 1, 2021. They also requested that subsequent installments of DA be revised according to the recommendations of the 6th Punjab Pay Commission and the All India Consumer Price Index. In addition to the revised rates, the petitioners also sought arrears with 12% annual interest on delayed payments.
During the hearing, the petitioners' counsel, Mr. Sunny Singla, stated that he would be satisfied if the petitioners' representation, dated May 28, 2025 (Annexure P-24), was decided by respondent No. 2 ( State Government). The learned State counsel had no objection to this proposal.
Justice Harpreet Singh Brar of the High Court, in an oral order, directed respondent No. 2 to consider the representation and issue a "speaking order" within three months of receiving a certified copy of the court order. A speaking order is a reasoned order. The court specified that the petitioners must be given an opportunity to be heard. Furthermore, the order states that if the petitioners are found to be entitled to the sought relief, it must be granted immediately by respondent No. 2. The petition was disposed of accordingly.
