Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) functionary and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia and Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday criticised Punjab govt over a finance department order concerning implementation of court directions in cases related to the pending dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) of govt employees and pensioners.The two leaders were reacting to a copy of a finance department communication dated Aug 17, which they shared on their respective X accounts.As per the communication, finance department has directed that court orders in cases covered by the judgement in Nirmal Singh Dhanoa and others vs State of Punjab and others and connected proceedings should not be implemented without prior concurrence of the department or until general directions are issued, whichever is earlier.Finance Department has also directed all administrative departments to submit complete details of such cases, including those relating to boards and corporations.In a post on X, Majithia alleged that chief minister Bhagwant Mann and finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema had “directly betrayed govt employees”.He alleged that finance department had issued a restrictive order under which even court-directed payment of DA would require Finance Department approval. He further claimed that the rights secured by employees after years of legal and administrative struggle were being delayed and described the move as an “insult to the judiciary” and an “assault on the rights of govt employees”.Harsimrat also criticised the order, terming it a “complete mockery of the rights of Punjab govt employees”. She alleged that the latest Finance Department instructions meant that court-directed relief would require approval from state govt before implementation.She further alleged that the order reflected Punjab govt’s financial mismanagement and claimed that employees’ rights were being held up because of the state’s financial position.
