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 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. This decision is expected to bring relief to a large number of government employees in the state who have been waiting for their pending DA for several years.
The court’s directive comes after a long-standing dispute between the West Bengal government and its employees over the payment of DA, which is a significant component of their salary. The state government had been delaying the payment of DA, citing financial constraints, which had led to a lot of unrest among the employees.
The Supreme Court’s order is a significant victory for the employees, who have been fighting for their rights for several years. The court has not only directed the state government to pay 25% of the pending DA but 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 experts from various fields, including finance and accounting, and will be responsible for calculating the total amount of pending DA and suggesting a payment schedule that is feasible for the state government. The committee’s report will be submitted to the Supreme Court, which will then take a final decision on the matter.
The West Bengal government has been directed to pay the first installment of 25% of the pending DA by March 31, which is a significant deadline. The government will have to ensure that the payment is made on time, failing which it may face contempt of court proceedings.
The Supreme Court’s order is not only a relief to the government employees but also a wake-up call for the state government. The government will have to take immediate steps to ensure that the payment is made on time and that the employees do not have to wait any longer for their pending DA.
The issue of pending DA has been a long-standing one in West Bengal, with employees complaining that they have not received their DA for several years. The state government had been citing financial constraints as the reason for the delay, but the employees had been arguing that the government had a constitutional obligation to pay them their dues.
The Supreme Court’s order is a significant development in this regard, as it has not only directed the state government to pay the pending DA but has also set up a committee to oversee the payment process. The committee will ensure that the payment is made in a transparent and fair manner, and that the employees receive their dues without any further delay.
The payment of pending DA is not only a matter of financial relief for the employees but also a matter of their dignity and self-respect. The employees have been waiting for their pending DA for several years, and the delay has caused them a lot of financial hardship. The Supreme Court’s order is a significant step towards restoring their dignity and self-respect.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s order directing the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending DA to 20 lakh government employees by March 31 is a significant development. The order is a relief to the employees, who have been waiting for their pending DA for several years. The state government will have to take immediate steps to ensure that the payment is made on time, and the committee set up by the Supreme Court will oversee the payment process to ensure that it is fair and transparent.
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