West Bengal DA Case: Major Showdown in Supreme Court on Aug 4 with Top Lawyer on Board
West Bengal DA Case: The fight for pending Dearness Allowance (DA) by the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, representing state government employees, teachers, and pensioners, has reached a new and critical juncture. For the past three years, this platform has been relentlessly campaigning on both the streets and in the courts. Their sustained struggle has compelled the state government to release some pending DA and has partially broken the deadlock. Now, the case is before the Supreme Court of India, with a crucial hearing scheduled for August 4, 2025—a date that could be decisive for lakhs of state government employees.
In this pivotal hearing, one of the country’s most eminent legal minds and former Solicitor General of India, Mr. Gopal Subramanium, will argue on behalf of the employees for the Sangrami Joutha Mancha. His involvement has added significant weight to the case and has substantially boosted the morale of the employees.
The Relentless Struggle of Sangrami Joutha Mancha
According to Bhaskar Ghosh, the convenor of Sangrami Joutha Mancha, the organization has been making maximum efforts to secure the rights of deprived government workers. When the DA case had lost momentum in the Supreme Court, it was the Sangrami Joutha Mancha that stepped in to strengthen the petitioner’s hand. In Ghosh’s words, “It was due to our efforts that the Supreme Court gave an interim order.”
However, he also acknowledged a weakness, stating that due to the inability to organize a massive movement on the streets, the state government has not fully complied with the Supreme Court’s interim directive. In this context, the upcoming hearing on August 4 holds immense significance.
Current Status of the Case
- Supreme Court’s Directive: On May 16, 2025, the Supreme Court, in an interim order, directed the state government to clear 25% of the DA arrears for the period from 2009 to 2019 within six weeks.
- State Government’s Position: Citing a severe financial crisis, the state government failed to comply with the order within the stipulated time. Instead, it filed an application in the Supreme Court seeking a six-month extension and offering to deposit the amount directly with the court.
- Contempt of Court Petition: In response to the state’s delay, employee unions have filed a contempt of court case against the government.
Amidst this complex situation, all eyes are now on the August 4 hearing. The presence of a formidable lawyer like Mr. Gopal Subramanium has brightened the prospects of a victory for the employees. The Sangrami Joutha Mancha and the lakhs of employees and pensioners in the state believe that their long-standing fight will finally succeed and justice will be delivered. The victory of teacher-employee unity is inevitable.
