Chandigarh: Welcoming the historic order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the Punjab government to release the withheld Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears of government employees and pensioners within 15 days, senior Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Dr. Avtar Singh Karimpuri has sharply criticized the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of Punjab.
Expressing gratitude for the court's decision, Dr. Karimpuri stated that the Honorable High Court has provided immense relief to lakhs of state employees and pensioners who had long been forced to stage protests on the streets for their rights. He emphasized that DA is not charity but a legitimate right earned through the hard work of employees and pensioners; by withholding it, the government has committed an injustice.
Lashing out at the Punjab government's policy of procrastination, Dr. Karimpuri said, "The government, which came to power with the slogan of 'Badlav' (Change), is today betraying every section of society. Denying employees their due by citing an empty treasury and dragging the matter until court intervention exposes the government's failure.
If the government has crores of rupees for wasteful advertising, why is there no money to grant the rightful dues of employees and elderly pensioners who serve the state day and night?" Citing the 'Punjab Sambhalo Muhim' (Save Punjab Campaign), he affirmed that the Bahujan Samaj Party is committed to protecting the interests of every section of Punjab. Under this campaign, the BSP stands shoulder-to-shoulder with employees and will continue to raise its voice for their rights.
Issuing a warning to the Punjab government, Dr. Avtar Singh Karimpuri demanded that the High Court's orders be complied with within 15 days without delay and that the outstanding DA be immediately credited to the accounts of employees and pensioners. He added that if the government persists with its delaying tactics, the BSP, in alliance with the employees, will intensify its struggle against the government.