In a major development for lakhs of state government employees in West Bengal, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Mamata Banerjee-led government to release 25% of pending Dearness Allowance arrears within 3 months.
The interim order was issued by a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, with the case scheduled for further hearing in August.
Suvendu Adhikari Slams State Government
Reacting to the order, BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, hailed the verdict as a win for public sector workers. He also launched a sharp attack on the state administration.
“I welcome this… The Supreme Court has said that DA is a rightful entitlement of state government employees,” said Adhikari. He went on to criticise the Trinamool Congress-led government, calling it “completely bankrupt,” and predicted political consequences for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. “Once the arrears are paid, Mamata Banerjee will no longer be Chief Minister. The BJP will form the government, ensure DA parity with the Centre, and generate jobs for the youth,” he told the media.
BJP Says Court Ruling Ends Delays
BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya also weighed in, calling the court’s direction a “major victory” for state employees and his party’s state unit. He alleged that the West Bengal government made multiple attempts to delay the proceedings, with the case seeing nearly 17 adjournments.
Malviya said the top court had originally suggested a 50% disbursement of dues, but the state pushed back, citing financial incapacity. Representing the state, senior advocate and Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi argued that a 50% payout could cause a financial collapse.
Long Fight For Employees
The case traces back to a 2022 Calcutta High Court ruling that directed the West Bengal government to pay DA to state employees at central government rates. However, the directive was not implemented, prompting further legal challenges.
Despite repeated demands, the state delayed payments, drawing criticism from opposition leaders who accused the Banerjee administration of mismanaging funds and ignoring employee rights.
“This delay shows the government’s disregard for its workforce,” Malviya said. “Had public money not been misused, employees would have been paid on time.”
With the court’s interim ruling now in place, the West Bengal government has three months to clear at least a quarter of the outstanding DA. The court has made it clear the matter will be reviewed again in August, keeping the pressure on the state administration.
The decision is expected to bring relief to thousands of current and retired government staff across West Bengal who have long demanded parity with central government pay structures.
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