If 25% DA Is Denied: What Are the Next Steps for State Government Employees and Their Strategy?

25% DA: The recent Supreme Court interim order directing the West Bengal government to address the 25% Arrear Dearness Allowance (DA) payment has brought a glimmer of hope to state employees and pensioners. The state has been given a six-week window to respond. However, a crucial question looms: what actions will the employees take if this 25% DA isn’t disbursed within the stipulated time? The Sangrami Joutha Mancha, a joint forum spearheading the DA movement, has already outlined a clear course of action.

Sangrami Joutha Mancha’s Warning and Future Plans:

The Sangrami Joutha Mancha, which has been at the forefront of the long-standing agitation for DA arrears, has stated unequivocally that if the state government fails to comply with the Supreme Court’s directive regarding the 25% Arrear DA payment within the given timeframe, they will be compelled to launch a more widespread and intensified protest. The forum has announced the following key actions:

• March to Nabanna: A protest march will be organized to Nabanna, the state administrative headquarters. Through this march, they aim to directly convey their demands to the state government.
• Mass Demonstration: A large-scale mass demonstration will be called, inviting not only government employees and pensioners but also all working-class people across West Bengal to participate. The plan is to transform this into a people’s movement.
• Intensification of Protests: Overall, the intensity of the agitation will be significantly increased. This may include various forms of protest programs, which the forum will announce in due course.

Beyond DA: Broader Demands:

The Sangrami Joutha Mancha’s movement is not solely focused on the pending DA. Their charter of demands includes other critical issues:

• Immediate filling of all vacant posts in government departments.
• Abolition of the contractual employment system in the state and regularization of all contractual workers.

The forum has stated that their agitation will continue to press for these demands as well.

Employee Response and Anticipation of Next Steps:

While the Supreme Court’s order has been a positive development, everything now hinges on the state government’s definitive actions. Employees are keenly watching whether the government will adhere to the directive. If the government fails to do so, the indications are clear that state government employees, under the leadership of the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, will embark on a path of major agitation. The coming days will be crucial in determining the future course of this situation.

While there’s anticipation among state government employees regarding the 25% DA, there’s also a strong resolve concerning their next steps. If the DA is not paid within the specified period, West Bengal could witness another significant phase of employee protests. The unity of employee organizations and the support of the general public will play a vital role in such a scenario.