“State is showing a lollipop”: Bhaskar Ghosh angry over DA dues, warn of major protests

Bhaskar Ghosh: A recent interview with Bhaskar Ghosh, the convener of Sangrami Jautha Mancha, has added a new dimension to the Dearness Allowance (DA) movement of state government employees. Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict, the state government’s silence is fueling resentment among employees. According to Bhaskar Ghosh, the state government’s excuse of a financial crisis is merely a tactic to deny the employees their rightful dues.

The Supreme Court’s Clear Directive

The apex court has given a clear directive to the state government to pay 25% of the outstanding DA by the upcoming June 27th. Sangrami Jautha Mancha is hopeful that a democratically elected government will respect this order. “We are optimistic that the government will comply with this directive, and the employees will receive their long-overdue rights,” Bhaskar Ghosh stated.

An Attempt to Deceive with a ‘Lollipop’

Bhaskar Ghosh refuses to accept the state government’s claims of a financial crisis, calling it a fabricated ‘story’. In his words, “Just as a father tries to pacify a child with a lollipop instead of an expensive chocolate, claiming he has no money, the state government is doing exactly the same.” He added that schemes like “Lakshmi Bhandar” are that ‘lollipop’, given to keep people content, but there is no effort to create permanent job opportunities or settle the rightful dues of the employees.

The Government’s Loans and the DA Issue

Ghosh believes that the recent loan of 4,500 crore rupees, which the state government took in three phases, has no connection to the payment of DA. According to him, the government does not need to take a separate loan to pay 25% of the outstanding DA. He believes this loan has been taken for other purposes.

Strict Actions Ahead

If the state government fails to pay the DA by June 27th, the Sangrami Jautha Mancha is prepared to take strict measures. Bhaskar Ghosh has warned that they will not only approach the court to file a contempt of court case but will also take to the streets for an intensified agitation.

Future course of action includes:

• Contempt of Court Case: Preparations are underway to file a contempt of court case against the state government in the Supreme Court after June 27th.
• Intensified Protests: Protest and agitation programs will be intensified across the state.
• Collective Power of Employees: Ghosh has placed his faith not in the government, but in the collective strength of the employees. He said, “We do not trust the government; we trust in our own strength.”

This firm stance from the Sangrami Jautha Mancha proves that they are unwilling to back down from their demand for DA. Following the Supreme Court’s verdict, the ball is now in the state government’s court. Will the government comply with the order and pay the employees their dues, or will West Bengal witness another prolonged legal and political battle? Only time will tell.