The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued a contempt notice to the Chief Secretary of Punjab for failing to implement the three -decade -old pension benefit scheme in the state.
A bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice N. Kotishwar Singh said that the court could not be misled. The bench sought an answer from the Chief Secretary as to why contempt proceedings against him to violate the commitment.
The court said, “Despite repeated assurances to the High Court, the state government has not been complied with. Therefore, we are the Chief Secretary of Punjab K.A.P. While issuing a show cause notice to Sinha, he is asking him to explain why not take action against him under the contempt Act, 1971 (both civil and criminal). “
The bench said that if the officer feels that any other officer is guilty, he is “free to file an affidavit” in which he gives the names or other details of the responsible officers so that the court can initiate action. The next hearing in this case will be held on 24 March.
The bench also issued a notice to the Deputy Director of the Public Education Director (College) Office of Punjab seeking a reply and asked why action should not be taken against them for filing a false affidavit.
During the hearing, Punjab Advocate General Gurminder Singh assured the bench that on the next date he would bring some positive information regarding the implementation of the scheme.
The court asked the Chief Secretary to answer clearly whether the state government is ready to give benefits under this scheme. The court also warned of contempt action along with this.
The Punjab Private Managed affiliated and Punjab Government was hearing the appeal filed by the apex court Rajneesh Kumar and others regarding the implementation of the Punjab Government aided College Pension Benefit Scheme, 1996. Since the scheme was not being implemented, petitions were filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court for instructions.
The High Court freed the Punjab government from action under the contempt of court Act, 1971, as the state government had promised that the scheme would be published and implemented by June 15, 2002. The case was then taken to the Supreme Court.