WB DA Hike: Is the West Bengal government poised to announce a significant hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for its employees? With the state assembly election atmosphere building up, political analysts and experts believe a major announcement could be on the cards. State government employees have long been agitating for a hike in DA at par with central rates and the clearance of accumulated arrears. In this backdrop, all eyes are on the upcoming state budget in early February.
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Budget Expectations and Past Trends
The state budget is scheduled to be presented on February 2nd. Speculation is rife that the Mamata Banerjee-led government might use this platform to announce a DA hike, as has been the trend in recent years. Looking at the data provided by sources regarding previous allocations:
- 2023 Budget: The state government announced a 3% hike in DA.
- Recent Years: Sources indicate a pattern where the government increased DA by 4% in the contexts of the 2024 and 2025 fiscal plans.
Given this trajectory, employees are hopeful for a similar or higher increment this time. However, there is no official confirmation yet on the exact percentage of the potential hike.
The Widening Gap: Centre vs. State
One of the primary causes of unrest among state employees is the massive disparity between the DA rates offered by the Central Government and the West Bengal State Government. While the Centre has practically green-lit the 8th Pay Commission, the state is still operating under the 6th Pay Commission structure.
| Category | Pay Commission | Current DA Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Central Govt Employees | 7th (Moving to 8th) | 58% |
| West Bengal Govt Employees | 6th | 18% |
Currently, state employees receive only 18% DA compared to the 58% received by their central counterparts. Additionally, issues regarding uncleared dues under the 5th Pay Commission remain unresolved.
Protests at Shahid Minar
Intensifying the pressure ahead of the budget, the ‘Sangrami Joutha Mancha’—an association of state government employees—called for a protest gathering at Shahid Minar on Tuesday. Their demands are specific and rigid:
- Index-Linked DA: Implementation of Dearness Allowance based on the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI).
- Parity with Centre: Immediate release of DA at rates equivalent to central government employees.
- Clearance of Arrears: Payment of all pending dues, including those from the 5th Pay Commission era.
- Permanent Order: Issuance of a standing order regarding the regularisation of DA payments.
With just days left for the budget presentation, it remains to be seen whether the state government will address these demands and bridge the widening gap.
