Unity Forum: A new turn has come in the ongoing legal battle concerning the long-standing Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears and the Sixth Pay Commission for West Bengal state government employees. Recently, Justice Amrita Sinha of the Calcutta High Court delivered a historic verdict, which has brought significant hope among state government employees. This ruling directs the immediate publication of the Sixth Pay Commission’s report, a result of Unity Forum’s tireless efforts.
Unity Forum’s Historic Move
Debprasad Halder, convener of Unity Forum, resorted to the Right to Information (RTI) Act to make the Sixth Pay Commission report public. Due to his brave initiative, Justice Sinha directed the state government to quickly upload a copy of the commission’s recommendations to the Finance Ministry’s website. No other employee organization in West Bengal had taken such an initiative, making this a significant achievement for Unity Forum.
Possibility of Supreme Court Appeal
Although the High Court’s verdict has not yet been officially published, it has created a challenging situation for the government. Unity Forum will consult with their lawyers after the Supreme Court’s summer vacation ends, i.e., after July 14th. A decision will then be made on whether an appeal to the Supreme Court is necessary in this matter. This is extremely important, as the future of many employees depends on this ruling.
Impact of Sixth Pay Commission on DA Case
The discussion highlights the connection between the Sixth Pay Commission report and the ongoing DA case in the Supreme Court. Debprasad Halder explained that employees have been fighting for arrears (50% DA) since the time of the Fifth Pay Commission. Now, with the Sixth Pay Commission’s tenure ending in 2025, Unity Forum wants to ensure that employees receive all pending dues from both the Fifth and Sixth Commissions, including the current Dearness Allowance as per ROPA 2019. This entire matter will be presented to the Supreme Court on August 4, 2025.
Government’s Stance and Supreme Court’s Order
The West Bengal government has informed the Supreme Court (on page 82 of their SLP) that they have implemented the Sixth Pay Commission and that there are no pending DAs as per ROPA 2019. However, Justice Sanjay Karol’s bench, on May 16, 2025, ordered the government to pay 25% of the pending DA within six weeks. Discussions are ongoing regarding what steps Unity Forum will take if the government fails to comply with this directive.
Clarification of Court’s Ruling and Impact of Misinformation
Since the court’s order is “pending,” a review by the government is not possible. The judge has asked all parties to submit written statements within four weeks. Unity Forum will submit their written statement once the court reopens. Allegations have been made that some media outlets have spread misinformation regarding the government’s statements and the pending DA. It has been stated that the 25% DA mentioned in the media is actually 25% of the total outstanding amount, not just DA. The judge initially suggested 50%, but the court must follow a specific arbitration process. In this situation, Unity Forum is keeping a close watch on future developments and is determined to secure the rightful dues of government employees.
