DA Arrears: Breaking! 25% DA Notification Expected Next Week After CM’s Crucial Meeting

DA Arrears: The long wait for state government employees is finally nearing its end. Activity within the state government regarding the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) is at its peak. According to sources, a significant decision on clearing the DA was made in a recent high-level meeting led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, attended by State Chief Secretary Manoj Panth and Finance Secretary Prabhat Mishra. While this move concerning the long-overdue 25% DA has sparked hope among employees, some aspects remain uncertain.

Key Points from the Meeting

In the recent meeting, the state government has resolved to clear the pending DA this month, adhering to the Supreme Court’s directive. However, there are doubts about whether employees will receive the full 25% as a cash payment. According to sources, the government is considering paying 80% of the arrears in cash, with the remaining 20% being deposited into the employees’ Provident Fund (PF). For pensioners and family pensioners, however, the entire outstanding amount is expected to be paid out.

The Government’s Challenge

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has given clear instructions that arranging funds for the DA payment must not affect the state’s ongoing social welfare projects. Simultaneously, the state government is determined to avoid any further criticism from the Supreme Court. It remains to be seen how the government will navigate this dual challenge to clear the employees’ pending DA.

When Will the DA Be Paid?

• Potential Announcement: If all goes to plan, the state government could make an official announcement regarding the DA as early as next week. However, this is contingent on the approval of a required loan amounting to ₹4,000 crore.
• Supreme Court Hearing: The Supreme Court is set to hear the case for the remaining 75% DA on August 4th. This hearing is crucial as it will address whether DA is a fundamental right. The entire state is watching for this verdict.

In light of these developments, state government employees are anxiously awaiting the official declaration. While the prospect of receiving the pending DA is welcome, there is an underlying concern about not receiving the full amount in hand. The final decision from the state government will determine how much relief it brings to its workforce.