The Court made it clear that if the Punjab government fails to act, the Court itself will ensure that monetary benefits reach the beneficiaries.
New Delhi, March 24: The Supreme Court has strongly criticized the Punjab government for not implementing the 1996 pension benefit scheme, despite repeated assurances.
The Court made it clear that if the Punjab government fails to act, the Court itself will ensure that monetary benefits reach the beneficiaries.
A bench comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan expressed serious concern over the State’s failure to comply with its commitments. Justice Oka voiced his displeasure over how State governments treat Court orders, emphasizing that this conduct cannot be ignored.
“State must answer this. We can’t brush aside how Courts are treated by the State governments. We will record that no officer of the state can be trusted. The State has taken the court for a ride..” Justice Oka remarked during the hearing.
The Court had earlier issued a contempt notice to the Chief Secretary of Punjab on March 5 for failing to implement the pension scheme and violating an undertaking to do so.
During the hearing, the Supreme Court instructed the counsel representing Punjab to obtain fresh instructions from the State government. The case has been listed for the next hearing on April 1.
Background of the Case
On July 26, 2001, the Punjab and Haryana High Court took note of a statement made on behalf of the Punjab government that the pension scheme would be implemented within three months. However, no action was taken.
On May 2, 2002, the Additional Advocate General, on instructions from senior officers, gave a commitment before the High Court that the scheme would be published and implemented by June 15, 2002. Based on this promise, the High Court refrained from initiating contempt proceedings at the time.
However, instead of implementing the scheme, the Punjab government introduced the Punjab Privately Managed Recognised Affiliated Aided Colleges (Pension and Contributory Provident Fund) Rules, 2002. Over the years, Punjab sought multiple adjournments, citing plans to repeal these rules. Between 2011 and 2012, the government continued giving assurances but did not follow through.
