Pay 25% of pending DA to 20 lakh govt employees by March 31: SC to WB govt
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) to nearly 20 lakh state government employees by March 31. The court’s order comes as a major relief to the employees who have been waiting for their pending DA for over a decade. The DA, which is a component of the salary, is paid to employees to offset the impact of inflation on their earnings.
The Supreme Court’s order is a result of a long-standing dispute between the West Bengal government and its employees over the payment of DA. The employees had been demanding the payment of DA, which had been pending since 2008. The West Bengal government had been delaying the payment, citing financial constraints.
The court, while hearing a petition filed by the employees, directed the West Bengal government to calculate the exact arrears and fix a practical payment schedule. The court also set up a high-level committee, led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra, to oversee the payment of DA to the employees.
The committee, which will comprise of representatives from the West Bengal government and the employees’ associations, will calculate the exact arrears and fix a payment schedule. The committee will also ensure that the payment of DA is made in a phased manner, without causing any financial burden on the state government.
The Supreme Court’s order is a significant victory for the employees, who have been fighting for their rights for over a decade. The payment of 25% of the pending DA by March 31 will provide a much-needed relief to the employees, who have been struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living.
The West Bengal government has been facing financial difficulties in recent years, which has resulted in a delay in the payment of DA to its employees. The government had been citing financial constraints as the reason for the delay, but the employees had been arguing that the delay was unfair and had resulted in a significant loss of income for them.
The Supreme Court’s order is a reminder to the state government of its obligation to pay the DA to its employees. The court’s direction to the government to calculate the exact arrears and fix a payment schedule is a significant step towards ensuring that the employees receive their rightful dues.
The payment of DA is a critical component of the salary of government employees, and the delay in its payment has resulted in a significant loss of income for them. The Supreme Court’s order will provide a much-needed relief to the employees, who have been struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living.
The West Bengal government has been directed to pay 25% of the pending DA by March 31, which is a significant step towards clearing the arrears. The government will have to ensure that the payment is made on time, without any further delay.
The Supreme Court’s order is a significant development in the long-standing dispute between the West Bengal government and its employees over the payment of DA. The order is a reminder to the state government of its obligation to pay the DA to its employees, and the government will have to ensure that the payment is made in a phased manner, without causing any financial burden on the state.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s order to the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending DA to its employees by March 31 is a significant victory for the employees. The payment of DA is a critical component of the salary of government employees, and the delay in its payment has resulted in a significant loss of income for them. The Supreme Court’s order will provide a much-needed relief to the employees, who have been struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living.
About the Author
