The Supreme Court on Thursday, 5 February, directed the Government of West Bengal to clear 25 percent of the outstanding dearness allowance (DA) arrears owed to state government employees by 31 March. The court’s order comes as a relief to nearly 20 lakh government employees across the state.

Relief for Nearly 20 Lakh West Bengal Govt Employees

The directive includes all categories of state government workers, including those in administrative, education, and allied services, who have been awaiting the clearance of pending DA payments. This long-standing demand has been a subject of multiple legal and administrative discussions over the past few years.

Dearness allowance is a component of an employee’s salary designed to offset the impact of inflation on their purchasing power. The pending dues have been a longstanding issue with employee unions consistently raising demands for full implementation and timely disbursal of DA amounts in line with other states and central government norms.

Supreme Court Sets Deadline for Payment

The Supreme Court, taking note of the delay in payments, mandated that one-fourth of the total DA arrears must be paid by the end of the current financial year. The financial obligations must be met by or before 31 March. The court’s order also implies that further directions could follow if the state government fails to comply within the stipulated timeframe.

Earlier observations by court benches had highlighted the importance of maintaining parity in the pay structure and welfare allowances of state government employees, particularly when compared to their counterparts in other states and central services.

Ongoing Dispute Between Employees and State Govt

The issue of DA arrears in West Bengal has been a contentious one, with multiple protests and court petitions filed by employee associations in recent years. State government employees have urged for uniform application of the DA, matching the rates offered by the Central government. The demand has met with resistance from the state administration, which has cited financial constraints.

Despite this, judicial intervention has gradually prompted movement in the matter. Thursday’s order is part of a series of legal proceedings initiated to address the gap in allowances and ensure equitable payment standards across states.

Government Response Awaited

Following the Supreme Court’s latest decision, attention is now focused on the West Bengal government’s response and the implementation of the directive. There has been no immediate statement from the state administration regarding its course of action to meet the deadline, although compliance is mandatory under the court’s order.

The payment of DA arrears is expected to have a significant financial impact on the state’s budget allocations, but it also marks a positive development for lakhs of employees who have long awaited resolution of the matter.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share