The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the Punjab government to release the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) to its employees and pensioners within 15 days and barred it from issuing any large-scale advertisement campaigns until the dues are paid. “Viewed in any manner, large scale advertising campaigns in print or social media and other unproductive expenses cannot justify denial of dues admissible to the State employees,” it added. The petitioners had earlier submitted that DA instalments with effect from July 1, 2023 have not been released to serving employees and pensioners. According to Singla, the court also directed the government to release the DA pending from January 1, 2016. On this basis, they argued that the pending DA and arrears should be released without further delay.