New Turn in DA Case: State Govt to Approach Supreme Court Again? Will Employees’ Wait Get Longer?

DA Case: The Dearness Allowance (DA) case for West Bengal’s government employees is about to take a new turn. Despite the Calcutta High Court’s directive and the Supreme Court’s subsequent interim order, complications regarding the pending DA arrears persist. According to recent reports from Nabanna (the state secretariat), the state government is considering approaching the nation’s apex court once again for clearer instructions. But why this move? And will it further delay the payment process for the employees? Let’s delve into the details.

Why is the State Returning to the Supreme Court?

According to officials in the finance department, while preparations to clear the dues began following the Supreme Court’s order, certain procedural challenges have emerged. The government claims its intention is not to defy the court’s order, but rather to seek specific clarifications to ensure it is implemented correctly.

As per sources in Nabanna, the state government is considering this step for two primary reasons:

• Clarification of the Order: The state wants to seek detailed clarification from the Supreme Court on the exact method and procedure for disbursing the Dearness Allowance. The government believes this will facilitate a smoother implementation of the directive.
• Modification of the Order: A plea may also be filed seeking ‘modification’ of certain instructions. However, it’s important to note that the government is not requesting a review of the interim order to pay 25% of the pending DA.

Background of the Events

This legal battle has a long history. Let’s take a quick look at the key developments:

• May 20, 2022: The Calcutta High Court directed the state government to pay Dearness Allowance at the central government rate.
• Challenging the High Court’s Verdict: The state government challenged this directive in the Supreme Court.
• May 16, 2025: After extensive hearings, the Supreme Court issued an interim order, instructing the state to pay 25% of the outstanding DA arrears.

It was after this order that the state government began preparations for payment, but is now once again pursuing legal consultation.

Employee Apprehensions vs. Government’s Justification

This move by the state government has sparked fresh concerns among a section of government employees. They believe this is merely a tactic to waste time. They argue that the government is deliberately trying to delay the DA payment process under the pretext of legal complexities. Their question is: when the Supreme Court has already given a clear directive, what is the need for further clarification?

On the other hand, the government’s argument is that disbursing arrears to a vast number of employees is a complex process. Therefore, it is essential to have clarity on all aspects beforehand to avoid any future legal complications. It should be noted that the Supreme Court is currently on its summer vacation, so even if the state files a petition, the hearing will take some time to commence.

Overall, the future of Dearness Allowance for state government employees has once again become dependent on legal proceedings. Only time will tell whether the government’s latest move is genuinely for ensuring transparency or just a delaying strategy. For now, millions of government employees are looking towards the Supreme Court for a final resolution.