Supreme Court stays contempt proceedings against Punjab chief secretary over pending DA, DR dues

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed criminal contempt proceedings initiated by the Punjab and Haryana High Court against Punjab chief secretary KAP Sinha and other officers over non-compliance with directions to clear pending dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) dues of state employees and pensioners.

It also restrained coercive steps in the civil contempt proceedings and asked the Punjab government to indicate how much of the outstanding DA/DR arrears it can disburse by March 31, 2027.

A bench of justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan passed the order after examining the high court's orders dated October 12 and October 30, and taking note of the fact that the chief secretary had been directed to appear personally before it on Thursday in the contempt matter.


The court further directed that no coercive steps be taken in the civil contempt case. Noting that the current DA rate was 53%, the bench told the state: "You got a breather. Come up with a positive response. How much will you release?"

"Government servants should come on contract basis; only then will they be accountable... Type three pages in a day. If government employees were sincere, the litigation would come down in this country. Pensions are being received by families after death of government servant. Where is the accountability of government servants?" the court said.