Pay 25% of pending DA to 20 lakh govt employees by March 31: SC to WB govt
In a significant decision, the Supreme Court of India has ordered 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 directive is a major relief to the state government employees who have been waiting for the payment of their pending DA for over a decade. The DA, which is a cost-of-living adjustment, is paid to government employees to help them cope with the rising cost of living.
The Supreme Court’s order came after the state government employees approached the court seeking payment of their pending DA from 2008 to 2019. The employees had been waiting for the payment of their DA for over a decade, and the delay had caused significant financial hardship to them. The court, taking into account the plight of the employees, ordered the state government to pay 25% of the pending DA by March 31.
In addition to ordering the payment of 25% of the pending DA, the Supreme Court also set up a high-level committee led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to calculate the exact arrears and fix a practical payment schedule. The committee will comprise of experts from the finance and accounting fields, who will work together to calculate the exact amount of DA payable to each employee. The committee will also fix a payment schedule, which will ensure that the remaining amount of DA is paid to the employees in a phased manner.
The West Bengal government has been facing significant financial constraints in recent years, which has made it difficult for the government to pay the pending DA to its employees. The state government’s finances have been under strain due to a combination of factors, including a decline in revenue collection and an increase in expenditure. However, the Supreme Court’s order has made it clear that the state government must prioritize the payment of DA to its employees, and take all necessary steps to ensure that the payment is made on time.
The payment of 25% of the pending DA by March 31 will come as a major relief to the state government employees, who have been waiting for the payment for over a decade. The payment will not only help the employees to cope with the rising cost of living but also boost their morale and motivation. The payment of DA is a significant component of the employees’ salary, and the delay in payment had caused significant financial hardship to them.
The Supreme Court’s order is also a significant victory for the state government employees, who have been fighting for the payment of their pending DA for over a decade. The employees had approached the court seeking payment of their DA, and the court’s order has vindicated their stand. The order is a testament to the fact that the judiciary is committed to protecting the rights of government employees and ensuring that they are paid their dues on time.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s order to the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending DA to nearly 20 lakh state government employees by March 31 is a significant decision that will bring relief to the employees. The order is a major victory for the employees, who have been waiting for the payment of their DA for over a decade. The payment of DA is a significant component of the employees’ salary, and the delay in payment had caused significant financial hardship to them. The Supreme Court’s order has made it clear that the state government must prioritize the payment of DA to its employees, and take all necessary steps to ensure that the payment is made on time.
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