Will West Bengal Government Get Extra Time for Clearing 25% Dearness Allowance Dues?
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Synopsis
The West Bengal government is seeking an extension from the Supreme Court to settle dearness allowance dues amid financial concerns. As the deadline looms, employees express frustration and threaten action if the court's order is not honored. Will the government comply or face public backlash?
Key Takeaways
- West Bengal government seeks 6-month extension for dues.
- Financial constraints cited as reason for the delay.
- State employees threaten action if dues are not paid.
- Current dearness allowance rate is significantly lower than Union government's.
- Potential impact on welfare schemes due to financial strain.
Kolkata, June 27 (NationPress) The West Bengal government has submitted a petition to the Supreme Court requesting an extension of six months to fulfill the payment of 25 percent dearness allowance dues for both current and retired state employees, as mandated by the apex court last month.
The original deadline for transferring the 25 percent dearness allowance arrears to the employees' accounts was set to expire at midnight on June 27 due to state government holidays on June 28 and June 29.
In its plea to the apex court, the government contended that the extension is necessary due to the financial condition of the state’s treasury. The petition also seeks a re-evaluation of the previous order regarding the payment of these dues.
The United Forum of State Government Employees, which represents state employees, has claimed that this action by the government constitutes a form of contempt of court and violates the earlier ruling of the Supreme Court.
“The state government must respect the Supreme Court’s previous decision. While it seems to waste funds on unnecessary expenditures like festivals, it cites a fund shortage when it comes to fulfilling its obligations to employees,” a representative from the forum stated.
The forum plans to reveal its strategy for proceeding with the matter on Saturday morning.
“State employees, both current and retired, have exercised considerable patience. They will maintain their composure until Saturday morning. We are withholding our detailed plans for now, but if the government fails to comply with the apex court's ruling, it will face a dual challenge—both legal and public protests,” stated Bhaskar Ghosh, the forum convener.
Currently, employees in West Bengal receive a dearness allowance of only 18 percent, significantly lower than the 55 percent given to their counterparts in the Union government and other states.
The payment of the pending 25 percent dues is projected to cost the state around Rs 12,000 crore. Employees in the finance department are concerned that this financial burden may affect various welfare schemes managed by the state.
Point of View
We observe that the West Bengal government's request for an extension to pay dearness allowance dues reflects deeper financial issues. While employee rights are paramount, the administration must balance fiscal responsibility with timely compensation. It's crucial to uphold judicial orders to maintain public trust and governance integrity.
NationPress
27/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the West Bengal government requesting from the Supreme Court?
The West Bengal government is requesting an additional six months to pay 25 percent of the dearness allowance dues for current and retired employees.
Why is the government asking for more time?
The government cites financial constraints as the reason for needing more time to fulfill the payment obligations.
What are the consequences if the government does not comply?
If the government fails to comply, it may face legal challenges and public protests from state employees.
How much will the payment of pending dues cost the state?
The payment of the pending 25 percent dues is expected to cost the state around Rs 12,000 crore.
