The Himachal Pradesh High Court has ordered the state government to make a decision regarding the 15 percent pending dearness allowance for government employees, along with related arrears and installment payments. The court, presided over by Justice Ajay Mohan Goyal, instructed the petitioners to submit their representations before the relevant officials within four weeks.
The court directed the competent authority to pass a clear and reasoned order within 12 weeks regarding the representations in accordance with the law. It also instructed the relevant officials to consider the complaints within the stipulated timeframe, while disposing of the petitions without delving into the merits of the case.
The petitioners approached the court due to the delay in the payment of the dearness allowance. The court issued a notice to the state government, asking for a response within four weeks; however, the state government has yet to reply. Subsequently, the court has directed the petitioners to submit their representations to the relevant officials.
The petition alleges that approximately 15 percent of the dearness allowance for state government employees and pensioners is still pending. Compared to the central government, employees in Himachal are receiving a lower dearness allowance. Currently, the central government is providing a dearness allowance at a rate of 60 percent, while employees of the Himachal government are receiving only 45 percent. The petition requested the court to order the release of the outstanding installments.