No reply on pension for 25 years, court slaps fresh cost on Punjab officials

In a significant development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered two senior officials of the Punjab Health Department to pay an additional Rs 50,000 in costs, following the state government's repeated failure to respond to a long-standing petition concerning pension benefits. The order was delivered on August 25, 2022, by Justice Sandeep Moudgil, who expressed deep concern over the state government's neglect in the matter.

The petition, initially filed in 2001, sought a re-computation and enhancement of pensionary benefits. Despite the court's earlier stern warning and an imposed Rs 1 lakh fine in July 2022, the state government has still not filed its written statement. Justice Moudgil criticized the state's inhuman and apathetic approach, noting that several petitioners had retired or passed away during the prolonged delay, leaving their legitimate claims unaddressed.

The court imposed the new fine, which must be deducted equally from the salaries of the Director, Health and Family Welfare, and the Principal Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Punjab. The amount will be deposited with the Punjab and Haryana High Court Bar Clerk’s Association. The matter is now adjourned to September 30, with the filing of the pending reply contingent on the payment of the fresh cost.