Kolkata, March 13 (NationPress) A coalition of various associations representing West Bengal government employees, organized under the Sangrami Joutho Mancha (Joint Movement Forum), has declared a total work stoppage today as a protest against the government's perceived reluctance and inaction regarding the distribution of Dearness Allowance (DA).

The Joint Movement Forum asserts that the state administration has shown clear indications of ignoring the Supreme Court's ruling from last month, which required the payment of 25% of the DA arrears from 2008 to 2019 by March 31. The court also mandated a gradual implementation plan to ensure that DA payments for state employees are consistent with those of Central government employees, including the back payments accrued since 2008.

“Up to now, the state government has not taken any action regarding the payment of the 25% DA arrears owed from 2008 to 2019 by the March 31 deadline. Instead, they have approached the Supreme Court again, requesting an extension until December this year to settle this payment. Consequently, we have decided on a complete work stoppage today,” stated Bhaskar Ghosh, the convener of the joint forum.

Ghosh further mentioned that the strike will involve not only direct state employees but also teachers from various state-run and state-aided institutions, staff from different autonomous bodies like municipal corporations, municipalities, panchayats, and workers from various state government enterprises.

“Today’s strike will mark a historic event, unprecedented in the last fifteen years,” Ghosh remarked.

In response, the state administration is determined to thwart the work stoppage. A notification has already been issued making attendance compulsory for all employees today. The government has also decided that no Casual Leave or any other type of leave will be granted for absence today, whether for the first half, second half, or the entire day.

Exceptions will only be made for circumstances such as hospitalization, bereavement, severe illness, or absences that were previously approved, including child care leave, maternity leave, medical leave, and earned leave sanctioned beforehand.

The state authorities have also clarified that any absence not covered by the aforementioned reasons and without prior approval will be classified as 'dies-non,' resulting in no salary being payable for that day.

“Employees who fail to respond to the show-cause notice will face disciplinary action. All necessary actions concerning this order should be finalized by March 31,” Ghosh added.