DA Hike: West Bengal Budget Announcement 4 Percent DA Hike for Government Employees Effective April 1

DA Hike: Finally, a wave of good news has arrived for state government employees in West Bengal. Addressing the long-standing expectations of the workforce, a significant announcement regarding the Dearness Allowance (DA) was made during the presentation of the State Budget in the Legislative Assembly. This announcement has undoubtedly brought a sense of relief to lakhs of employees and pensioners across the state.

What Exactly Was Announced in the Budget?

In the current state budget, the West Bengal government has officially declared a hike in the Dearness Allowance. According to the announcement, the DA has been increased by 4 percent. While there has been a persistent demand for parity with central rates, this 4 percent hike announced on the budget day serves as a crucial financial update for the state workforce.

When Will the New DA Be Effective?

Naturally, following the announcement, the primary question among employees is regarding the effective date of this hike. It has been clarified in the budget speech that this increase will not be implemented immediately but will take effect from the beginning of the next financial cycle. Specifically, the beneficiaries will receive the hiked amount starting from April 1st. This means the increased 4 percent DA will be reflected in the salary disbursed for the month of April.

Who Will Benefit from This Move?

This decision by the state government is set to benefit a vast section of the state’s payroll. The beneficiaries include:

• West Bengal State Government Employees: All those currently serving across various departments.
• Pensioners: Retired personnel who have served the state will also be eligible for this 4 percent hike in their pension relief.

This move in the state budget is being viewed as a positive step within administrative circles. In times of rising inflation, this additional 4 percent allowance is expected to provide some financial cushion to the monthly income of the employees. All state government staff and pensioners can now look forward to receiving their revised salary and pension from April onwards.