public sector

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has mandated the West Bengal government to release 25% of the pending dearness allowance (DA) dues owed to its employees. The directive, issued by a bench comprising Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, gives the state three months to comply. The case will be reviewed again in August. This development marks a considerable setback for the Mamata Banerjee-led administration and a moment of triumph for state employees who have long been demanding DA parity with their central government counterparts. Reacting to the verdict, BJP leader Amit Malviya stated on social media that the ruling is a landmark victory following a protracted legal battle and nearly 17 adjournments initiated by the state government to stall the proceedings. The conflict began when a group of state government employees approached the Calcutta High Court, seeking DA benefits equivalent to those provided by the Centre. In May 2022, the high court ruled in favor of the employees, directing the Bengal government to align its DA rates with those of the Centre. However, the state challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court in November 2022. Although the West Bengal government has made marginal increases in DA over time, it has not managed to bridge the 37% gap compared to the Centre. Currently, central government employees receive 55% DA, while their West Bengal counterparts receive only 18%—a figure that includes the latest 4% hike effective from April 1, 2025. The disparity has led to widespread dissatisfaction among state employees. The Supreme Court’s latest order provides partial relief and sets the stage for further developments in the ongoing battle for DA parity. Source: NDTV Photo Credit: NDTV