Pay 25% of pending DA to 20 lakh govt employees by March 31: SC to WB govt
In a significant decision, the Supreme Court 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 comes as a major relief to the employees who have been waiting for the payment of their dues for over a decade. The DA arrears have been pending since 2008, and the court has set up a high-level committee to calculate the exact amount and fix a practical payment schedule.
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 have been demanding the payment of their dues, which have been pending for over 11 years. The state government had been delaying the payment, citing financial constraints. However, the court has now intervened and directed the government to pay 25% of the pending DA by March 31.
The court’s decision is expected to benefit nearly 20 lakh state government employees, including teachers, clerical staff, and other categories of employees. The payment of DA is a significant component of the employees’ salary, and the pending arrears have been a major concern for them. The employees have been struggling to make ends meet, and the payment of their dues will come as a major relief to them.
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 comprise of representatives from the state government, the employees’ unions, and other stakeholders. The committee will be responsible for calculating the exact amount of DA arrears and fixing a payment schedule that is feasible for the state government.
The court’s decision has been welcomed by the employees’ unions, who have been fighting for the payment of their dues for over a decade. The unions have hailed the court’s decision as a major victory for the employees and have thanked the court for its intervention. The state government has also been directed to file a compliance report with the court by April 15, indicating the steps taken to implement the court’s order.
The payment of DA is a significant component of the employees’ salary, and the pending arrears have been a major concern for them. The DA is paid to the employees to offset the rise in the cost of living, and it is a major component of their salary. The payment of DA is also a major incentive for the employees, and it helps to boost their morale and productivity.
The West Bengal government has been facing financial constraints in recent years, and the payment of DA arrears has been a major challenge for the state government. However, the court’s decision has made it clear that the state government cannot delay the payment of the employees’ dues indefinitely. The court has directed the state government to pay 25% of the pending DA by March 31, and the remaining amount will have to be paid in installments.
The court’s decision is expected to have a significant impact on the state government’s finances, and it may require the government to make some adjustments to its budget. However, the payment of the employees’ dues is a priority, and the state government will have to make arrangements to pay the pending DA arrears.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to direct the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending DA to nearly 20 lakh state government employees by March 31 is a significant development. The court’s decision is expected to benefit the employees and will help to boost their morale and productivity. The payment of DA is a significant component of the employees’ salary, and the pending arrears have been a major concern for them. The court’s decision has made it clear that the state government cannot delay the payment of the employees’ dues indefinitely, and it will have to make arrangements to pay the pending DA arrears.
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