DA Case Update: State Government’s Claim Dismissed, 8 out of 12 States Follow Central DA Pattern, New Information Presented in Supreme Court!

DA Case Update: The Dearness Allowance (DA) case concerning West Bengal state government employees is reaching a fever pitch in the Supreme Court. Recently, the state government claimed that 12 states in India do not pay DA at the central rate. However, challenging this assertion, the employee organization Unity Forum has introduced a new twist by submitting counter-evidence. According to the data they presented, 8 out of the 12 states mentioned by the state government do, in fact, follow the Central Government’s AICPI pattern for DA payment.

The State’s Claim vs. The Reality

The state government had submitted a list to the Supreme Court, indicating that 12 states—Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana, and Tripura—do not provide Dearness Allowance at the central rate. Their argument was that paying DA according to the central rate is not mandatory.

However, Unity Forum has submitted a counter-list that could alter the trajectory of the case. According to the information and statistics presented by the forum:

• 8 States Follow the Central Pattern: States such as Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Nagaland, and Sikkim directly follow the central government’s pattern for DA. While some may provide it with retrospective effect (including arrears) or on a lagging pattern (with a slight delay), the fundamental basis remains the central AICPI.
• AICPI-Based DA: States like Karnataka and Kerala also adhere to the AICPI (2001=100) index for providing DA to their employees.
• Telangana’s Custom Rule: Telangana follows the central government pattern but applies its own multiplier (0.91 percent).
• Data on Remaining 4 States: Although the data for Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura is not explicitly clear, the evidence presented by Unity Forum significantly weakens the state government’s overall claim.

What is the Future of the Case?

The submission of this new information by Unity Forum has undeniably weakened the state government’s position in the Supreme Court. The apex court will now examine the evidence provided by both sides. If the information from Unity Forum is verified as accurate, the state’s argument that “other states also do not pay DA at the central rate” will likely be dismissed. Experts believe this will substantially strengthen the claim of West Bengal’s government employees for DA at the central rate. All eyes are now on the next Supreme Court hearing.