High Court Asks Punjab If It Has Rs 520 for Court Fee in DA Appeal; Hearing Nov 5ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਨੇ ਪੁੱਛਿਆ, ਕੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਕੋਲ ਡੀਏ ਅਪੀਲ ਦੀ 520 ਰੁਪਏ ਫ਼ੀਸ ਵੀ ਨਹੀਂ? ਸੁਣਵਾਈ 5 ਨਵੰਬਰ ਨੂੰ

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday sharply questioned the Punjab government over its Supreme Court appeal in the dearness allowance (DA) case, asking whether the state "even has Rs 520" to pay the court fee that had kept the appeal stuck in defect. The matter is now adjourned to November 5, Bar & Bench, The Tribune and Rozana Spokesman reported.

What did the High Court say about the Rs 520 court fee?

A bench of Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj and Justice Ravinder Malik said the state's appeal against the August 3 judgment has been lying with the Supreme Court registry since September 1 because of defects, including unpaid court fees. The bench called the defects trivial and said it appeared to be a "deliberate designed effort" to keep the appeal from being listed, noting that other petitions of the state were listed at 24 hours' notice. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, for the Chief Secretary, said the fee is the job of the advocate-on-record, not a matter of state finances, and objected to any suggestion of fiscal indiscipline. The court clarified it had taken no judicial notice so far.

What happens to the Chief Secretary?

The court is hearing criminal contempt proceedings against Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, who was put to notice on October 6 over an affidavit on the status of the appeal. He has since filed an apology, but the court asked for a fresh, detailed affidavit. Reports say he must be present on the next date, and that no further opportunity will be given if the affidavit is not filed. These are court observations at a hearing, not a final finding.

What is the DA dispute about?

On August 3 the High Court directed Punjab to release all pending DA and dearness relief instalments to employees and pensioners at the rates paid to All India Services officers in the state. The state has challenged this in the Supreme Court. The Tribune reported this week that pending DA and DR arrears are estimated at about Rs 14,191 crore, and that the government has weighed phased payment over five years.

What did the court say about advertising?

Responding to the state's argument on advertising, the bench said fiscal priorities are for the executive to decide, but statutory obligations cannot be subject to a populist agenda. "You may put your hoarding on the Moon or Mars, we are not concerned," it said. The state's counsel argued that the case is being politicised as elections near.

When is the next hearing?

The High Court will take up the matter again on November 5, 2026.

How much are the DA arrears?

The Tribune reported an estimated liability of about Rs 14,191 crore for state employees and pensioners.

Who appeared in the case?

Senior advocate RS Cheema is amicus curiae, Sanjay Kaushal and Chetan Mittal appear for employees, and Vikas Singh for the Chief Secretary.