SC tells Bengal govt. to pay 25% DA by March 31

On relief to nearly 20 lakh government employees, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to pay dear allowance (DA) to them from 2008 to 2019, saying it was a legally enforceable right.

A Bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra directed the State government to pay 25% of the outstanding promissory notes to its employees by March 31. They also formed a four-member committee comprising three retired Supreme Court judges and another official to oversee the release of payments. The committee was directed to work with the State government to determine a payment plan for the remainder of the 75% DA. The committee will send its recommendations by March 6. The state government must submit a compliance report to the court by April 15 after the payments are released.

Employees rejoice

State government employees welcomed the order, which marks the culmination of a decade-long struggle. Government employees who fought this legal battle were seen rejoicing with colors on the streets.

Malay Mukhopadhyay, general secretary of the State Government Employees Confederation, said they have been fighting a long struggle since 2016. “This time the Supreme Court has fixed a date for payment and now the government cannot refuse to comply with it. This is a relief for both working and retired government employees,” he said. Hindu.

Bhaskar Ghosh, state convenor of Sangrami Joutho Mancha, another group at the forefront of the DA protests, called it a victory for the “common man”.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said they will review the decision and consult lawyers to form a committee to review the decision. “No other state provides pensions, it’s just us. If we didn’t have to pay such a large amount, we would save this much,” he told reporters after the state budget presentation. Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari described the decision as a “defeat” for the government and a “big win” for government employees.