Arrear DA: State Isn’t Paying Now, But Clarifies for Which Period the DA is Pending

Arrear DA: The stalemate over the Dearness Allowance (DA) for West Bengal state government employees continues. While employees are eagerly awaiting their pending dues, the state government has clarified its stance by filing a new affidavit in the Supreme Court. Although there are hints that the government may not pay the full DA, it has specified the period for which it acknowledges the arrears. This new development has generated a mixed reaction among the employees. Let’s delve into the details.

State Clarifies Which Period’s DA is Pending

The state government has informed the Supreme Court that it only recognizes the pending DA for the period from April 1, 2008, to December 31, 2019. This means, according to the government, employees have DA arrears only for this specific 11-year period. Consequently, only those who were employed during this timeframe are considered claimants for the pending DA as per the government’s calculations. This move by the government specifies a crucial aspect of the DA case – the period of the arrears.

Is There an Intention to Pay?

Despite clarifying the timeline, a significant question mark hangs over the state’s willingness to pay. The state government has filed a new Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court, stating that it has already provided employees with multiple financial benefits. Arguing this point, the state has requested the court not to order the payment of an additional 25% in pending DA. The government’s stance makes it clear that it is not prepared to take on the financial burden of clearing the DA dues at this moment.

What Does This Mean for Employees?

The state’s new affidavit has clarified a few things for the employees:

• Specific Timeframe: Employees now at least know for which period the government considers the DA to be pending.
• Uncertainty and Disappointment: The state’s reluctance to pay has increased frustration among employees. The uncertainty over when, or if, the money will be paid has deepened.
• Reliance on the Court: The entire matter now rests on the Supreme Court’s decision. All eyes are on whether the court will accept the state government’s plea or rule in favor of the employees.

What’s Next?

The future of the DA case is now entirely in the hands of the court. It remains to be seen how the court will weigh the state government’s argument of financial burden against the employees’ claim for their rightful dues. The future of millions of state government employees depends on every update in this case.