The Supreme Court on Thursday granted significant relief to nearly 20 lakh West Bengal government employees in the long-pending dearness allowance (DA) dispute. The Court directed the state government to pay DA arrears for the period from 2008 to 2019, emphasizing that receiving DA is a legally enforceable right for its employees.
The Court also reiterated its earlier interim order, stating that at least 25 percent of the pending arrears must be released by March 6. This ruling is expected to provide substantial financial relief to the state’s employees after years of pending dues.
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How Much Employees Will Get?
1. Full DA Arrears: Employees are entitled to full dearness allowance (DA) arrears for the period 2008 to 2019.
2. Immediate Payment: At least 25 percent of the total outstanding arrears must be released by March 6, 2026.
3. Committee Calculation: A high-level committee will calculate the exact arrears and decide a practical payment schedule.
4. Current DA Status: West Bengal employees currently receive 18 percent DA, much lower than the 55 percent given to central government staff.
What is Dearness Allowance (DA)?
Dearness Allowance (DA) is an additional payment provided to government employees and pensioners to help offset the impact of inflation and rising living costs. It is linked to the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) and adjusts according to changes in prices. In West Bengal, employees have long sought DA at levels comparable to central government staff, prompting protests and legal battles.
The conflict began in 2022 when the Calcutta High Court recognized that DA is a legal entitlement under the state’s pay revision rules (ROPA 2009) and the 5th Pay Commission recommendations, said that it is part of salary, not a discretionary benefit. The state government challenged this in the Supreme Court, citing fiscal constraints. In May 2025, the Supreme Court issued an interim order directing at least 25 percent of the pending arrears to be paid, while hearings continued on ensuring employees’ rights without straining the state budget.