Representative image CHANDIGARH: “The very essence of a welfare state is compromised when the instrumentalities of the state become a source of protracted litigation,” Punjab and Haryana HC observed recently, while reprimanding Punjab govt for its apathy in not absorbing a former worker of Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project for over three decades.Justice Harpreet Singh Brar ordered the state govt to pay within three months Rs 5 lakh compensation to the petitioner, nearly 80 now, noting that: “The state shoulders the profound responsibility of fostering justice and equity; it should be a catalyst for the resolution of disputes, not the cause of their proliferation.”Pulling up the state for ignoring binding directions issued in 1989 in an SC judgment in the ‘Mehanga Ram and others versus State of Punjab’ case and reaffirmed through Punjab advocate general’s 1995 undertaking before apex court, HC said forcing similarly situated employees to repeatedly litigate for identical relief was “the very definition of arbitrariness” barred under Constitution. “The principle that the state must act as a ‘model employer’ is not a mere platitude but a constitutional mandate that informs its dealings with its employees,” HC observed.About the AuthorAjay SuraAjay Sura is Senior Assistant Editor with The Times of India Chandigarh. He covers news concerning the State of Haryana, Punjab & Haryana High Court and Defence & Military Affairs. He likes to analyse political developments and decoding judicial pronouncements. His hobbies include travelling, mountaineering and trekking.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos”Derogatory” BJP Hits Out at Revanth Reddy Over Remarks On Hindu DeitiesOver 70 IndiGo Flights Cancelled Across India as Crew Shortage Triggers Massive Disruption“India’s Diplomacy Has Spine”: Tharoor Praises India’s Assertive Foreign Policy On RussiaRahul–Priyanka Candid Chat Goes Viral As Camera Catches Fun Banter’We Have A Diplomatic Allergy’: Shashi Tharoor Warns India Still Lacks A National Security StrategySanchar Saathi App Row In LS: Cong Flags Privacy Fears, Scindia Says ‘Snooping Not Possible’Rupee Slides To Record Low Of 90 Per Dollar As Trade Uncertainty, Dollar Demand And Oil Costs Spike’Leader Is Bulldozing’: Kharge, Nadda Lock Horns Over TMC MP’s Speech In Rajya SabhaIndia’s Workforce Power Will Keep Growing, Jaishankar Says, As He Takes Down Anti H-1B NarrativesKTR Slams Congress, Says Rahul Gandhi Has No Vision And Is An Albatross Around Opposition’s Neck123Photostories’Dhurandhar’: Times when the Ranveer Singh starrer made headlines6 most unique and expensive celebrity engagement rings that made historyThought of the day for your kid: “Don’t let what you can’t do stop you from what you can do.”Mammootty, Malayalam cinema and Bheeshma Parvam; Iconic roles ranked from cult classics to crowd favouritesProsenjit Chatterjee rising in Bollywood with intense and unforgettable characters10 best foods to boost muscle growth and strengthSay these 5 nighttime affirmations and watch your life transform in just days5 brutally honest lessons to take from Virat Kohli on how to crush successMalaika Arora’s yoga secrets: 5 beginner-friendly poses for body & mindHow Bhagavad Gita can heal unknown childhood trauma and unlock blockages for success in life123Hot PicksParliament Winter SessionPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingNBA Trade RumorsMike TysonWendy OrtizCardi BAuston MatthewsStephen CurryNathan MacKinnonJayden DanielsSuper Bowl LX Halftime ShowMolly Qerim
CHANDIGARH: “The very essence of a welfare state is compromised when the instrumentalities of the state become a source of protracted litigation,” Punjab and Haryana HC observed recently, while reprimanding Punjab govt for its apathy in not absorbing a former worker of Anandpur Sahib Hydel Project for over three decades.Justice Harpreet Singh Brar ordered the state govt to pay within three months Rs 5 lakh compensation to the petitioner, nearly 80 now, noting that: “The state shoulders the profound responsibility of fostering justice and equity; it should be a catalyst for the resolution of disputes, not the cause of their proliferation.”Pulling up the state for ignoring binding directions issued in 1989 in an SC judgment in the ‘Mehanga Ram and others versus State of Punjab’ case and reaffirmed through Punjab advocate general’s 1995 undertaking before apex court, HC said forcing similarly situated employees to repeatedly litigate for identical relief was “the very definition of arbitrariness” barred under Constitution. “The principle that the state must act as a ‘model employer’ is not a mere platitude but a constitutional mandate that informs its dealings with its employees,” HC observed.
