Punjab BJP accuses AAP govt of misleading HC over DA dues for lakhs of employees
Synopsis
The Punjab High Court has questioned the state's Principal Secretary over a missed compliance deadline in a dearness allowance case and is weighing contempt proceedings against the AAP government. With a mass employees' rally set for Sangrur on October 10, the BJP is sharpening its attack, accusing the ruling party of burying a legitimate dues order in legal manoeuvres.
Key Takeaways
Pathankot MLA Ashwani Sharma of the BJP alleged on 5 October 2026 that the Punjab AAP government was misleading the High Court on dearness allowance dues.
The High Court questioned Punjab Principal Secretary K.P.
Sinha over non-filing of a compliance affidavit to its 3 August order directing DA release within 15 days .
The court is reportedly considering why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the state government.
The Punjab Chief Secretary has been directed to appear before the court and file a response.
Punjab BJP has announced full support for an employees' rally in Sangrur on 10 October .
Former Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and Pathankot MLA Ashwani Sharma on Monday, 5 October 2026, alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab was deliberately misleading the High Court in the dearness allowance (DA) case and betraying lakhs of state government employees. The Punjab BJP strongly condemned the government's handling of the issue and announced its support for an employees' rally scheduled in Sangrur on October 10.
What Happened in Court
Referring to Monday's hearing, Sharma said the High Court questioned Punjab Principal Secretary K.P. Sinha, who appeared before the bench, over the non-filing of a compliance affidavit related to the court's 3 August order. That order had directed the state government to release DA within 15 days.
When the Punjab government informed the court that it had filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, the bench reportedly questioned why action had not been taken to rectify defects in the petition. According to Sharma, an earlier hearing had already directed the state to remove those defects, but the government allegedly failed to comply.
Court Summons Chief Secretary, Weighs Contempt
Sharma further stated that the court observed it had summoned the entire record from the Supreme Court, which would reveal the actual status of the government's actions. The bench directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to appear again and file a response, and sought an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the government.
BJP's Political Charge
'The AAP government has continuously attempted to mislead the court, but such tactics will no longer work,' Sharma alleged in a statement. He said the BJP 'stands with the employees and supports their rally to be held in Sangrur on October 10.' The party accused the AAP dispensation of deliberately entangling a legitimate dues matter in prolonged litigation rather than releasing payments directly to employees.
Background and What Is at Stake
The DA dispute has been a running sore point for Punjab government employees, who argue they are owed arrears that successive governments have deferred. The High Court's 3 August direction to release DA within 15 days had appeared to offer resolution, but the state's SLP filing in the Supreme Court effectively stayed execution. This comes amid broader discontent among state employees, with the upcoming Sangrur rally on 10 October expected to draw large numbers. How the courts rule on contempt could set a precedent for how state governments respond to HC orders on employee dues.
Point of View
At its core, a fiscal credibility issue for the AAP government in Punjab — a state already under severe financial stress. Filing an SLP in the Supreme Court while allegedly failing to rectify its own defects looks less like a legal strategy and more like a delay tactic, which is precisely the charge the High Court now appears to be testing. The BJP's decision to align with state employees ahead of the Sangrur rally is textbook opposition politics, but the underlying grievance is real: a court-directed 15-day deadline was missed, and no remedial action followed. If contempt proceedings do proceed, it would mark a significant escalation and hand the opposition a potent narrative heading into any electoral cycle in the state.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Punjab dearness allowance (DA) case about?
The case concerns the release of dearness allowance dues owed to lakhs of Punjab government employees. The High Court had on 3 August directed the state government to release the DA within 15 days, a deadline the government allegedly missed, prompting contempt proceedings.
Why is the Punjab High Court considering contempt against the state government?
The court is considering contempt proceedings because the Punjab government allegedly failed to file a compliance affidavit following its 3 August order on DA release. The government filed an SLP in the Supreme Court but reportedly did not rectify defects in that petition as directed.
What did the High Court direct on 5 October 2026?
The High Court directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to appear before the bench and file a response. It also sought an explanation as to why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against the government, and noted it had summoned the full record from the Supreme Court.
What is the BJP's stance on the DA dispute?
The BJP has condemned the AAP government's conduct, alleging it is deliberately entangling a legitimate dues matter in litigation. The party announced it fully supports the employees' rally scheduled in Sangrur on 10 October 2026.
When is the Punjab employees' rally and where?
The employees' rally is scheduled for 10 October 2026 in Sangrur, Punjab. The BJP has declared its support for the gathering, which is expected to draw large numbers of state government employees protesting over unpaid DA.
