As 2024 draws to a close, West Bengal state government employees are still waiting for a resolution to the long-standing issue of their dearness allowance (DA) arrears. Despite months of anticipation, there has been no breakthrough in the DA case, and hopes of a resolution this year seem distant. The next Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for January 7, 2025, leaving government employees with no option but to wait.
A significant update in the case has come from the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, a collective of state employees advocating for their DA rights. Recently, Bhaskar Ghosh shared on social media that efforts are underway to include the Mancha in the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings. On Monday, the group’s representatives met with lawyers in the High Court chambers to discuss the matter. They are seeking support from various quarters to strengthen their fight for the pending DA.
Background of the DA Case
The dispute over dearness allowance for West Bengal state employees dates back to 2022. On May 20 of that year, the Calcutta High Court ordered the state government to clear the DA arrears within three months. Despite this ruling, the employees did not receive their due. The state government filed a review petition challenging the High Court’s decision, but it was dismissed. In response, three employee unions filed a contempt of court petition against the state. The government subsequently escalated the matter to the Supreme Court in November 2022.
Since then, the case has been in the Supreme Court, with multiple hearings postponed. The prolonged legal battle has frustrated state employees, who won the case in the High Court but are still waiting for their DA arrears. The Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the state has delayed the final resolution.
Central Government’s DA Hike
In contrast, central government employees have received a significant boost to their dearness allowance. The Modi government recently announced a 3% increase in DA for central employees, raising their allowance from 50% to 53%. This comes as a festive gift ahead of Diwali, bringing relief to central government employees. Meanwhile, West Bengal state employees continue to receive only 14% DA, highlighting the stark disparity between the two groups.
Looking Ahead
With the next Supreme Court hearing scheduled for January 7, 2025, West Bengal government employees are anxiously waiting for a positive outcome. The Sangrami Joutha Mancha’s inclusion in the case could potentially strengthen the fight for the employees’ long-overdue DA. However, the delay in the legal process has already taken a toll on the morale of the workforce, who are left with little hope for a resolution in the near future.
The battle for dearness allowance continues to be a major issue for West Bengal’s state employees, and all eyes will be on the Supreme Court’s hearing next year to see if there is finally a breakthrough in this prolonged struggle.