WB DA Arrears: Despite the recent announcements by the West Bengal government regarding the payment of WB DA Arrears, discontent continues to brew among state government employees. Bhaskar Ghosh, the Convener of Sangrami Joutha Mancha, has strongly criticized the administration, alleging systematic deception and gross miscalculations in the disbursement process.
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Background of the Dispute
According to Ghosh, the state government deprived employees of their rightful Dearness Allowance (DA) for 11 years, spanning from 2008 to 2019. The Supreme Court has unequivocally stated that DA is not a charity but a fundamental legal right of the employees. However, Ghosh alleges that the state government is misinterpreting the court’s verdict to suit its own narrative while creating massive discrepancies in the arrear calculations.
Key Discrepancies in Arrear Calculations
The employee forum has highlighted several critical flaws in the state’s payment modalities:
- The 50% Arrear Anomaly: Based on the AICPI index, employees had pending DA arrears amounting to 50%. The state government provided 25% of this and combined it with the previously existing 75%, claiming 100% neutralization. The fate of the remaining 25% remains unexplained.
- The Six-Month Gap: While the central government implements DA hikes in July, the state government makes them effective from January. Employees allege that the state is actively withholding the arrears for the intervening six months.
- Provident Fund (PF) Shortfalls: Serious allegations have surfaced regarding discrepancies in PF deposits for both pensioners and active employees, with deficits ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 in individual accounts.
- GPF Deposit Delays: Although the state government announced that DA arrears would be settled by March 31, the actual transfer to the General Provident Fund (GPF) for Group A, B, and C employees will take until October 2026. This delay deprives employees of interest earnings from March to October.
Political Motives
In his interview, Ghosh claimed that the hasty announcement of the DA arrears just 55 minutes before the election declaration was politically motivated. Though the official notification was reportedly ready by March 13, it was strategically delayed to influence voters. He clarified that employees do not oppose welfare schemes or honorarium hikes, but they refuse to accept the denial of their hard-earned dues.
Latest Update
According to the latest information, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgment on February 5, 2026, directing the West Bengal government to clear the pending DA arrears for the 2008-2019 period, ordering an initial 25% release by March 31, 2026. Following this, the state government recently modified its stance, announcing that arrears for the 2016-2019 period will be cleared in a single installment by March 31, rather than in phases . Additionally, the state budget for 2026 introduced a 4% DA hike, bringing the state total to 22% —still far behind the central government rates.
What Happens Next
The Sangrami Joutha Mancha has warned of a broader agitation against the government’s perceived deceit. They have adopted a three-pronged strategy: announcing major protest programs via press conferences, launching a door-to-door campaign to expose the 15-year deprivation, and intensifying their ongoing legal battles in court.
