New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that Haryana government employees cannot be denied medical reimbursement for their dependent elderly parents solely because they receive a monthly old-age pension of Rs.3,000. The court set aside rejection orders in 10 connected petitions and directed the authorities to process and release admissible claims within two months of receiving a certified copy of the order.

The ruling is significant for government employees whose parents require hospitalisation or treatment but have modest pension income. It reinforces the principle that the receipt of a small social-security benefit does not automatically establish that an elderly parent can independently meet medical expenses....