HC seeks explanation from Punjab on withdrawal of Gallantry Award allowance

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the State of Punjab to file an affidavit explaining the reasons and basis for discontinuing the Medal Allowance paid to Gallantry Award laureate in the police force.

The Bench of Justice Jagmohan Bansal passed the order while hearing a petition filed by Talwinder Singh, a retired inspector of the Punjab Police, who was conferred the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry on January 21, 1995. The petitioner sought the quashing of a notification dated June 15, 2021, “to the extent respondent has stopped allowances to Gallantry Award Laureate.”

As per the petition, Singh had been receiving the Medal Allowance since 1995, which was revised periodically. However, the state government, vide notification dated September 15, 2021, stopped several allowances, including the Medal Allowance. Advocates Atinderpal Singh appeared for the petitioner.

The court was informed that the petitioner made representations to the Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, following which the Director-General of Police (DGP), Punjab, communicated to the Principal Secretary, Home Department, Punjab, on August 9, 2023, that “employees are fully entitled to get Gallantry Award Allowance and should not be discontinued.”

During the hearing, the state counsel produced a communication dated July 4. Referring to the document and the DGP’s 2023 communication, the court observed that “it comes out that the Police Department is of the opinion that Medal Allowance should not be withdrawn.”

The Bench further noted that the September 15, 2021, notification revealed that “the State has formed an opinion that allowances shall be paid after finalisation of the issue.”

Directing the State to explain its decision, Justice Bansal ordered: “Let an affidavit be filed by respondent before the adjourned date disclosing reasons and basis of stoppage of Medal Allowance which petitioner was getting since 1995 on account of President’s Police Medal.”

The matter has been adjourned to November 19 for further hearing.