West Bengal DA: West Bengal DA Protest Reaches Supreme Court Legal Battle Who Will Get Arrears
West Bengal DA: The prolonged struggle for pending Dearness Allowance (DA) by West Bengal state government employees has reached a critical juncture. What started as a protest on the streets of Kolkata for over 1100 days has now shifted its primary battlefield to the Supreme Court. This movement is not just about financial claims but represents a united stand against years of alleged deprivation. The upcoming statewide strike on the 13th reflects the growing intensity of this demand and the employees’ determination to secure their rightful dues.
State Government’s Move vs Legal Preparations
The state government recently filed a voluminous 215-page Modification Application in the Supreme Court. Protesters allege that this is a strategic move, costing crores of rupees, to delay the judicial process, drain resources, and buy time until the upcoming elections. In response, the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (United Struggle Platform) is gearing up for a strong legal counter. Representatives are scheduled to meet internationally acclaimed lawyer Gopal Subramanium. Furthermore, prominent legal minds like Vikram Banerjee, Sudipta Dasgupta, and Siddharth Banerjee are actively mapping out strategies to challenge the government’s application effectively.
Who is Eligible for the Pending DA?
A major point of contention is the interpretation of the original court verdict. Bhaskar Ghosh, convener of the platform, emphasized that the Supreme Court’s order explicitly mentions “Employees of the State of West Bengal.” This broad definition includes school teachers, non-teaching staff, college professors, and employees of panchayats, municipalities, boards, and undertaking corporations. According to the 2009 ROPA guidelines, their eligibility is absolutely clear. Ghosh accuses the government of “Suppression of facts” by trying to limit the DA benefits to a select few departments, thereby creating artificial panic and divisions among the workforce.
The Road Ahead and Strike Action
To intensify their demand, representatives of the forum are planning to visit Delhi soon to coordinate directly with their legal team and potentially mention the case in the Supreme Court. Meanwhile, a strong appeal has been made to all government employees to participate fearlessly in the upcoming all-out strike on the 13th. Interestingly, reports suggest that a section of the police force and even members of the ruling party’s employee federation secretly support this strike. The ultimate resolution of this intense battle for DA now rests heavily on the Supreme Court’s impending decisions.
