In a landmark decision, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has annulled a December 22, 2022 circular issued by the Punjab government, which prohibited retired employees from receiving travel concessions and old age allowances while facing pending departmental or judicial proceedings. Justice Harpreet Singh Brar ruled in favor of the petitioners, retired employees of the Punjab State Warehousing Corporation (PSWC), stating that the Finance Department's clarification was illegal and violated constitutional rights. The court ordered the government to disburse all pending dues within six weeks. The ruling not only benefits the petitioners but extends to all similar retirees, reinforcing that retirement benefits cannot be arbitrarily withheld without statutory authority. The court emphasized that while the state can withhold gratuity and leave encashment during proceedings, it cannot restrict other pensionary benefits through executive instructions. This judgment is expected to provide relief to numerous retired employees who were denied their rightful benefits due to ongoing inquiries or cases.