Arrear DA: ‘We Haven’t Received Any Copy of a Modification Plea,’ Says Malay Mukhopadhyay on Approaching the Supreme Court Again

Arrear DA: Tension is once again rising among state government employees regarding the Dearness Allowance (DA) case. In a recent interview, Malay Mukhopadhyay, General Secretary of the Confederation of State Government Employees, stated that the state government has not submitted any modification or clarification notice as per the Supreme Court’s directive. According to him, if the government had filed such a petition in the apex court, a copy should have been provided to the confederation as per the rules, which they have not received.

This situation raises a critical question: what will happen if the state government fails to pay the pending DA within the stipulated six weeks? In response, Malay Mukhopadhyay has made it clear that they will file a contempt of court case directly.

What Happens if DA is Not Paid in Six Weeks?

According to Malay Mukhopadhyay, if the state government does not clear the DA dues within the prescribed six-week period, the confederation will initiate contempt of court proceedings against the Chief Secretary and the Finance Secretary. He pointed out that this is an order from the highest court of the land. Previously, the state government had defied orders from the tribunal and the High Court, only to have its appeal dismissed by the Supreme Court.

He further added that there are precedents for severe penalties in cases of contempt of court, such as:

• Imprisonment: A jail term of one to two months can be imposed for contempt of court.
• Withholding Salary: Drastic measures, like stopping salary payments, have also been taken in the past, as seen in the case of the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company.

Mukhopadhyay emphasized that the state government must pay the DA, as it is not just a matter of employee rights but also of the state’s honor.

Government’s Silence Fuels Confusion

Malay Mukhopadhyay confirmed that they have not received any notice of modification or clarification from the state government. If such an application has been filed in the Supreme Court, they were supposed to receive a copy as per protocol. This silence is increasing confusion and discontent among the employees.

Now, it remains to be seen whether the state government will pay the DA within the deadline or if the employees will be forced to take the legal route once again. However, from Malay Mukhopadhyay’s words, it is evident that the employees will not back down from their fight to secure their rights.