New Delhi, Sept. 2 -- The Punjab government has approached the Supreme Court, challenging a High Court order directing it to clear all pending dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) dues owed to state employees and pensioners within a fortnight. The state has argued that releasing arrears of around Rs.14,191 crore within such a short timeframe is constitutionally impossible.

The special petition, filed by the additional chief secretary of the finance department, challenges the 3 August judgment of the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court had directed the state to pay the pending dues at rates applicable to All India Services officers posted in Punjab.

"Compliance is not merely difficult; it is constitutionally impossible i...