NEW DELHI:

During a hearing on a Dearness Allowance (DA) dispute involving Punjab government employees, Supreme Court judge Justice BV Nagarathna raised sharp questions regarding the accountability and work output of government servants, suggesting that public sector hiring should transition to a contractual basis to enforce performance and responsibility.

Key Highlights of the Remarks:

• Privileged Status vs. Accountability: A bench comprising Justice BV Nagarathna and Justice R. Mahadevan noted that government employees enjoy secure job structures, regular Dearness Allowance (DA), allowances, and lifelong pensions (including family pensions after death)—making them a “privileged class” compared to workers in the unorganized and corporate sectors. Justice Nagarathna questioned, “Where is the accountability of the government servant?”

• Proposal for Contractual Appointments: Stressing the need for performance-based evaluation, Justice Nagarathna remarked that government servants should be recruited on a contract basis so that accountability can be firmly established.

• Critique of Productivity and Red Tape: Highlighting inefficiencies in administrative operations, the bench pointed to instances of low productivity and bureaucratic red-tapism, remarking on issues like minimal daily file processing and widespread delays.

• Link to Court Litigation: When counsel representing employees argued that many government workers are hardworking and should not be painted with a broad brush, Justice Nagarathna retorted that if government employees were entirely sincere in their duties, litigation across the country would significantly decrease.

• Relief in Contempt Proceedings: The Supreme Court stayed the contempt proceedings initiated against the Punjab Chief Secretary over pending DA payments, noting that the state’s administrative heads should not be subjected to coercive pressure while dealing with financial constraints.

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