Supreme Court issues contempt notice to Punjab official after State fails to implement 1996 pension scheme

Supreme Court issues contempt notice to Punjab Chief Secretary for failing to implement pension scheme, warning of action.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday (March 5, 2025) issued a contempt notice to the Punjab Chief Secretary for failing to implement a three-decade-old pensionary benefits scheme in the State.

Observing the Court couldn’t be taken for a ride, a Bench of Justices Abhay Oka and N. Kotiswar Singh asked the Chief Secretary to answer why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for the violation of the undertakings.

“In spite of repeated undertakings given to the High Court, compliance has not been made by the State Government. Therefore, we issue showcause notice to K.A.P. Sinha, Chief Secretary, State of Punjab calling upon him to showcause why action under the Contempt Of Courts Act 1971 (both civil and criminal) should not be initiated against him,” the Court said.

The Bench said if the official felt some other officer was at fault, he was “free to file an affidavit” giving the names or other details of the officers responsible for the Court to initiate action.

The matter would be heard again on March 24.

The Bench also issued notice to the deputy director, office of the Director for Public Instruction (Colleges), Punjab, seeking his response on why action should not be initiated against him for filing a false affidavit.

During the hearing, Punjab advocate general Gurminder Singh assured the bench of returning with something positive over the implementation of the scheme on the next date.