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 over a decade.
The court’s directive is a result of a long-standing dispute between the West Bengal government and its employees over the payment of DA, which is a significant component of the salary of government employees. The DA is paid to employees to offset the impact of inflation on their salaries, and it is calculated based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The West Bengal government had been paying DA to its employees at a rate lower than what was being paid by the central government, which had led to a significant disparity in the salaries of state and central government employees. The state government employees had been demanding that their DA be revised to bring it on par with the central government employees, but the state government had been reluctant to do so, citing financial constraints.
The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which has now ordered the state government to pay 25% of the pending DA to its employees by March 31. 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 comprise of experts from various fields, including finance, accounts, and law, and will be responsible for calculating the total amount of pending DA, as well as the amount that needs to be paid to each employee. The committee will also recommend a payment schedule that is feasible for the state government, taking into account its financial constraints.
The Supreme Court’s decision is a significant victory for the state government employees, who have been struggling to make ends meet due to the low salaries and the non-payment of DA. The payment of 25% of the pending DA will provide a much-needed boost to the employees, who will be able to use the money to meet their financial obligations.
The state government, on the other hand, will have to find a way to pay the pending DA, which is estimated to be several thousand crores of rupees. The government will have to make arrangements to pay the amount by March 31, which is a tight deadline, given the current financial situation of the state.
The Supreme Court’s decision is also significant because it sets a precedent for other states to follow. Many states are facing similar problems with regard to the payment of DA to their employees, and the court’s decision will provide a guideline for them to follow.
In addition, the court’s decision highlights the importance of paying DA to government employees. DA is a critical component of the salary of government employees, and its non-payment can have a significant impact on their standard of living. The court’s decision recognizes the importance of paying DA and ensures that government employees are not deprived of their rightful dues.
In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to order the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the pending DA to its employees by March 31 is a significant victory for the state government employees. The decision recognizes the importance of paying DA and ensures that government employees are not deprived of their rightful dues. The state government will have to find a way to pay the pending DA, which will provide a much-needed boost to the employees.
About the Author
