In contempt loop, Punjab officers asked to cite efforts made to implement HC order

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court has asked two Punjab government officials to show what efforts they made to implement a court order involving the Atta-Dal scheme in the state.

The order was passed on Monday by a HC bench of justice Jaswant Singh in which convicted IAS officer Shivdular Singh Dhillon and Bathinda food controller Jaspreet Singh Kahlon were also present.

The HC had convicted them of contempt of court, observing that they had “deliberately disobeyed” the directions passed by the court. The order was passed in connection with a petition of one Roshan Lal Prem Chand, a Bathinda resident, in which it was contended that the payments had not been released within the required three months as directed by the HC . It was filed after the government failed to comply with October 2015 direction of high court, asking the state to pay transportation charges and “margin money” on wheat procured and distributed under the scheme. The Punjab government on Monday argued that it has gone for appeal against the October 2015 order.

But the HC was not satisfied with the reply as it observed that when the order was not stayed by the appellant court, state could not have withheld the payments. It has now asked both the officers to list out by April 24 efforts made by them to comply with court orders. Both of them also have been asked to remain present on the next date.

HC HAD CONVICTED THEM OF CONTEMPT OF COURT, OBSERVING THAT THEY HAD DELIBERATELY DISOBEYED DIRECTIONS PASSED BY THE COURT