The Punjab Government’s apparent reluctance to comply with judicial directions regarding the disclosure of state expenses has come under the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s scanner. More than four months after the state was asked to furnish, among other things, details of the expenses incurred on advertising and purchase of new vehicles, Justice Kuldeep Tiwari has asserted the reasons mentioned in an affidavit reflected that the state did not have any intention to comply with the direction.
Justice Tiwari was hearing a petition filed against the state and other respondents by the Indian Medical Association, Punjab, and other petitioners through senior counsel DS Patwalia and advocate Adityajit Singh Chadha.
Taking up the matter on September 23 last year, Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj had observed that the petitioners were hospitals/medical institutions registered under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme and were seeking the release of pending dues/bills of more than Rs 500 crore. The liability had been acknowledged, but only about Rs 26 crore had been released.
Justice Bhardwaj had also called for details of expenses incurred on advertising in print and audio-video media, renovating houses and offices of ministers, MLAs and Class-I officers and the purchase of new vehicles. The Principal Secretary, Finance, was directed to file an affidavit detailing expenses incurred under specific heads.
The court in its subsequent order dated January 23 asked the Principle Secretary to file a personal affidavit disclosing the reasons for not complying with the directions issued on September 23, 2024. “This court, prima facie, is of the opinion that the Principle Secretary, Finance, has already committed contempt of this court by not making compliance of the order,” Justice Tiwari had observed.
As the matter came up for resumed hearing, Justice Tiwari’s Bench noted that the state had failed to comply with the September 2024 order. Rather, a fresh affidavit had been filed disclosing the reasons for not complying with the order.
“The reasons mentioned in the affidavit reflect that the state does not have any intention to comply with the direction,” Justice Tiwari observed, while questioning the Advocate-General about the state’s willingness to comply.
Fixing the case for further hearing on February 14, Justice Tiwari directed the state to clarify its intent. “The information shall be provided to this court regarding the intent of the State of Punjab whether they are ready and willing to make compliance of order positively by the next date of hearing,” the court added.
