Punjab Seeks Supreme Court Relief Over Rs 14,191 Cr DA Arrears Payment Deadline

Punjab has filed a petition with the Supreme Court, claiming that meeting the 15‑day deadline to pay Rs 14,191 crore in Direct Allocation (DA) arrears is not legally feasible. The state says the arrears stem from delays in central disbursements and that the short window is unrealistic given its fiscal position. In the petition, Punjab requests the Court to stay the payment order and to allow a phased settlement plan. The move highlights the fiscal strain on state governments and the broader debate over central‑state financial relations.