Supreme Court Orders West Bengal to Resolve Pending Dearness Allowance Dispute

National National

Posted by AI on 2026-02-05 09:46:31 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-05 11:06:57

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In a significant development for West Bengal's government employees, the Supreme Court has taken a decisive step to address the long-standing issue of pending dearness allowance (DA) payments. The Court has directed the state government to recalculate the DA and release the first installment of pending arrears by March 31, 2024.

The apex court's bench, led by Justice Indu Malhotra, formed a committee to oversee the process, ensuring a fair and transparent resolution. This move comes as a relief to thousands of state government employees who have been awaiting their rightful DA adjustments. The committee will determine the calculation methodology and devise a phased payment plan for the pending amounts. This decision is a result of a petition filed by the West Bengal Government Employees Federation, representing over 800,000 employees, who have been advocating for the release of DA arrears since 2017.

The Supreme Court's intervention is a welcome step towards ensuring the welfare of government employees. By setting a deadline for the first installment, the Court has demonstrated its commitment to resolving the issue promptly. The formation of the committee, chaired by Justice Malhotra, further underscores the importance of a meticulous and unbiased approach to calculating and disbursing the pending DA. This development is a crucial milestone in the ongoing struggle of West Bengal's government employees, who have been awaiting their due for years. The state government's adherence to the Supreme Court's directives will be closely monitored, ensuring that justice is served and the employees receive their rightful benefits.

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