Chandigarh, Aug. 5 -- The Punjab government is legally examining the high court's order asking it to clear all pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears of its employees and pensioners, state finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said on Tuesday.

"The government remains committed to paying all legally and constitutionally valid dues, but key judicial precedents may have been overlooked in the current ruling," said Cheema at a press conference in Chandigarh. Cheema's remarks came hours after the Opposition Congress sought an assurance from the government on the issue in the Vidhan Sabha.

On Monday, a high court division bench directed the state government to clear all pending DA dues of approximately 7.5 lakh employees and pensioners within...