Pay 25% of pending DA to 20 lakh govt employees by March 31: SC to WB govt
In a significant decision, the Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the West Bengal government to clear 25% of the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) from 2008 to 2019 for nearly 20 lakh state government employees by March 31. The court’s directive is aimed at providing relief to the state government employees who have been waiting for their DA arrears for over a decade.
The Supreme Court’s order comes after a long-drawn battle between the West Bengal government and its employees over the payment of DA arrears. The state government had been delaying the payment of DA to its employees, citing financial constraints. However, the employees had been demanding the payment of their DA arrears, which had been pending since 2008.
The court’s decision is a major victory for the state government employees who have been struggling to make ends meet due to the non-payment of their DA arrears. The DA is a significant component of the salary of government employees, and its non-payment had been causing financial hardship to many employees.
The Supreme 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 directed to pay 25% of the pending DA arrears to the employees by March 31. The remaining amount will be paid in installments, as per the schedule to be fixed by the committee. The court has also directed the state government to ensure that the payment of DA arrears is made to all eligible employees, including those who have retired or died.
The decision of the Supreme Court is expected to bring relief to the state government employees who have been waiting for their DA arrears for over a decade. The payment of DA arrears will not only improve the financial condition of the employees but also boost their morale.
The West Bengal government had been facing criticism from the opposition parties and the employees’ unions for delaying the payment of DA arrears. The government had been citing financial constraints as the reason for the delay, but the employees had been arguing that the government had the resources to pay the arrears.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a significant development in the long-drawn battle between the West Bengal government and its employees over the payment of DA arrears. The court’s directive to the state government to pay 25% of the pending DA arrears by March 31 is a major victory for the employees, and it is expected to bring relief to them.
The payment of DA arrears is not only a matter of financial relief for the employees but also a matter of their rights. The employees have been fighting for their rights for over a decade, and the Supreme Court’s decision is a recognition of their rights.
The West Bengal government has been directed to take immediate action to comply with the court’s order. The government has been asked to pay 25% of the pending DA arrears to the employees by March 31, and the remaining amount will be paid in installments, as per the schedule to be fixed by the committee.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a significant development in the context of the ongoing debate over the payment of DA arrears to government employees. The decision is expected to have implications for other state governments that have been delaying the payment of DA arrears to their employees.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to direct the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending DA arrears to 20 lakh government employees by March 31 is a significant development. The decision is expected to bring relief to the state government employees who have been waiting for their DA arrears for over a decade. The payment of DA arrears is not only a matter of financial relief for the employees but also a matter of their rights.
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