Did Bengal Govt Really Spend Over Rs 200 Crore to Deny DA to State Employees?
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Synopsis
Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in Bengal, claims the state government wasted over Rs 200 crore in legal fees to deny employees their rightful dearness allowance. With the Supreme Court's recent ruling, state employees may finally see some relief. How did the situation escalate to this point?
Key Takeaways
- West Bengal Government spent over Rs 200 crore on legal fees.
- Supreme Court mandates 25 percent payment of dearness allowance dues.
- State employees currently receive only 18 percent dearness allowance.
- The disparity in dearness allowance compared to the Union government is stark.
- Immediate payment could affect the state’s finances significantly.
Kolkata, May 17 (NationPress) The Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, representing the BJP, has claimed that the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, has squandered over Rs 200 crore in legal fees to deny state employees their rightful dearness allowance (DA).
On Friday, a division bench of the Supreme Court, composed of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Manoj Mishra, mandated that the state government must disburse 25 percent of the outstanding dearness allowance dues to government employees within the next month, with the case to be revisited thereafter.
Adhikari remarked, “State government employees have endured a lengthy battle to reclaim what is rightfully theirs. After favorable rulings from the Tribunal and Calcutta High Court, instead of complying, the government chose to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court. They were aware that their special leave petition was unlikely to succeed, yet they proceeded to waste over Rs 200 crore in legal costs. This sum could have funded at least 10 new hospitals or 200 new schools.”
He further stated that the government is fortunate the Supreme Court only required them to pay 25 percent of the dearness allowance dues in the next four weeks.
“Initially, the Supreme Court instructed the state to pay 50 percent of the dues immediately. However, following urgent pleas from the state’s legal representation, the court compassionately reduced the requirement to 25 percent,” Adhikari noted.
The Joint Forum of State Government Employees, which represents various employees' associations and has spearheaded the movement, welcomed the Supreme Court's ruling, calling it a significant setback for the state government.
“We are now set to receive 25 percent of our dearness allowance dues within the next month. We are optimistic that we will ultimately receive all our dues,” stated Bhaskar Ghosh, the forum’s convener.
Currently, West Bengal government employees are receiving dearness allowances at a mere 18 percent, in stark contrast to the 55 percent received by their counterparts in the Union government and various other states.
Initial estimates suggest that the payment of 25 percent of the dues in the upcoming four weeks could lead to an immediate outflow of roughly Rs 12,000 crore from the state’s finances.
Point of View
It is crucial to provide a balanced perspective. The allegations made by Suvendu Adhikari highlight significant concerns regarding state governance and employee rights. The Supreme Court's intervention reflects the judiciary's role in mediating such disputes. While the financial implications for the state are considerable, the emphasis remains on ensuring that employees receive their rightful dues.
NationPress
11/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the Bengal government spend on legal fees?
The Bengal government reportedly spent over Rs 200 crore in legal expenses.
What did the Supreme Court direct regarding dearness allowance?
The Supreme Court directed the Bengal government to pay 25 percent of the outstanding dearness allowance dues within four weeks.
What is the current dearness allowance for West Bengal government employees?
West Bengal government employees currently receive a dearness allowance of only 18 percent.
What is the difference in dearness allowance compared to the Union government?
Union government employees receive a dearness allowance of 55 percent, significantly higher than their West Bengal counterparts.
How much will the immediate payment of 25 percent dues cost the state?
The immediate payment of 25 percent dues is estimated to drain approximately Rs 12,000 crore from the state exchequer.
