Pay 25% of pending DA to 20 lakh govt employees by March 31: SC to WB govt
In a significant development, the Supreme Court has ordered the West Bengal government to clear 25% of the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) for nearly 20 lakh state government employees by March 31. The court’s directive is a major relief for the employees who have been waiting for the payment of their dues for over a decade. The pending DA, which has been pending since 2008, has been a major bone of contention between the state government and its employees.
The Supreme Court’s order comes after the state government failed to implement the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission, which had recommended the payment of DA to state government employees. The court has 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 submit its report to the court, which will then decide on the further course of action.
The West Bengal government has been facing criticism from its employees for delaying the payment of their DA. The employees have been demanding the payment of their dues for several years, but the government has been citing financial constraints as the reason for the delay. However, with the Supreme Court’s order, the government will now have to clear at least 25% of the pending DA by March 31.
The payment of DA is a significant issue for state government employees, as it forms a major part of their salary. The DA is paid to employees to compensate for the increase in the cost of living, and it is usually revised periodically to reflect the changes in the consumer price index. However, in West Bengal, the DA has not been revised since 2008, leaving employees with a significant shortfall in their salaries.
The Supreme Court’s order is a major victory for the state government employees, who have been fighting for their rights for several years. The employees have been staging protests and demonstrations to demand the payment of their DA, and the court’s order is a significant step towards resolving the issue. The employees are hoping that the government will now take concrete steps to clear their dues and implement the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
The West Bengal government has been facing financial constraints in recent years, which has made it difficult for the government to pay the DA to its employees. However, the government has been criticized for its priorities, with many questioning why the government is unable to pay the DA to its employees while it is able to spend money on other projects.
The payment of DA is not just a matter of employee welfare; it is also a matter of social justice. The state government employees are among the most vulnerable sections of society, and they are entitled to a fair salary and benefits. The delay in paying the DA has caused significant hardship to the employees, who have had to struggle to make ends meet.
The Supreme Court’s order is a significant step towards addressing the issue of pending DA in West Bengal. The court’s directive to the state government to clear 25% of the pending DA by March 31 is a major relief for the employees, and it is hoped that the government will now take concrete steps to implement the court’s order.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s order to the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending DA to 20 lakh state government employees by March 31 is a significant development. The order is a major victory for the employees, who have been fighting for their rights for several years. The payment of DA is a significant issue, and it is hoped that the government will now take concrete steps to clear the dues and implement the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
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