3 min readChandigarhUpdated: Aug 22, 2026 07:02 PM IST
The court has asked the counsel for the State to file an affidavit “giving details of the schemes and policies framed, as well as the announcements made by the state government, for providing financial assistance and other welfare benefits to its citizens.” (File)
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to file an affidavit detailing the schemes, policies and announcements through which it provides financial assistance and welfare benefits to citizens, including free electricity, water and transportation, as well as monthly financial assistance.
The direction was issued by Justice Sandeep Moudgil while hearing a petition filed by Baljinder Kaur, widow of late Tara Singh, and their son Gursewak Singh, seeking posthumous regularisation of Tara Singh’s service as a Chowkidar, pension under the Old Pension Scheme and family pension for his widow. They have also sought consideration of their son’s case for compassionate appointment.
The court has asked the counsel for the State to file an affidavit “giving details of the schemes and policies framed, as well as the announcements made by the state government, for providing financial assistance and other welfare benefits to its citizens.”
It further directed that the affidavit “shall specifically disclose the measures undertaken by the state government to provide assistance in various forms, including free electricity, free water facilities, free transportation, and monthly financial assistance, with a view to alleviating hardship and facilitating the livelihood of the citizens and making their lives somewhat easier, in furtherance of the State’s obligations as a welfare State.”
In the order dated August 21, the bench permitted the Punjab government to file its statement three days before the next date of hearing, with an advance copy to the petitioner’s counsel.
According to petitioner’s counsel HC Arora, Tara Singh was appointed as a temporary Chowkidar on an 89-day basis on August 28, 1992, and joined duty on August 31. His tenure was extended periodically before his services were terminated on October 1, 1996.
Tara Singh subsequently raised an industrial dispute. In an award dated February 22, 2018, the Industrial Tribunal-cum-Labour Court ordered his reinstatement with continuity of service and 50 per cent back wages. He rejoined as a temporary Chowkidar on March 27, 2018.
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The petitioners contended that five other temporary Chowkidars were regularised through an order dated May 10, 2002, while another, Surjit Singh, was regularised in 2006. They have, therefore, sought retrospective regularisation of Tara Singh from May 10, 2002, arguing that his reinstatement with continuity of service entitled him to consideration on the same basis.
Tara Singh died in harness on April 4, 2023, before his regularisation claim could be decided. His family has argued that posthumous regularisation would make him eligible for pension under the Old Pension Scheme and, consequently, entitle his widow to family pension. They have also sought consideration of their son for compassionate appointment under the applicable State policies.
The family had earlier served a demand notice on April 5, 2026. On May 8, the High Court directed the competent authority to decide the notice through a speaking order within three months. The authority rejected the claim on August 7, following which the petitioners approached the High Court.
The State has not yet filed its written response. The HC deferred the matter to October 7, 2026.
Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula).
Professional Background
Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases.
Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region.
Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps.
Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025)
His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns:
1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts
"12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013.
"‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case.
"Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification.
2. Investigative & Scams
"CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus.
"Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh.
3. Environment & Public Safety
"Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities.
"Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos.
4. Gangster Culture & Crime
"City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules.
"Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26.
Signature Style
Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More
