DA bombshell before Budget: Supreme Court orders Mamata govt to clear pending dues

A division bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra asked the state government to constitute a four-member committee comprising retired judges to decide on the remaining 75 per cent of the pending DA for the period between August 2008 and December 2019.

The judgement comes on the same day the Mamata Banerjee-led government is scheduled to present the state Budget in the Assembly, just a couple of months ahead of the elections.

The committee has been directed to submit its report to the court by May 15.

Sangrami Joutha Mancha, a forum of protesting state government employees that has been camping in central Kolkata for years, warned the government of an unprecedented protest if the order is not implemented.

“If the order is not followed this time, we will launch an unprecedented protest. I urge all my colleagues and citizens beyond to join a widespread movement, as this is a golden opportunity to press our demands,” a spokesperson of the group said.

In May last year, the apex court had directed the state government to clear 25 per cent of the pending DA within four weeks.

However, the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-led government later approached the court seeking a six-month extension, citing financial constraints.

Earlier, in 2022, the Calcutta High Court had ordered the state government to pay 31 per cent DA to its employees, bringing it on par with the Centre’s rate.

The West Bengal government subsequently moved the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s order.

Dearness Allowance is a cost-of-living adjustment paid to government employees and pensioners to offset inflation.

It is calculated as a percentage of the basic salary and revised periodically—usually twice a year—based on changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI).