CPI-M leaders expressed disappointment with the West Bengal government for not complying with the Supreme Court’s order to pay 25% of the DA arrears from 2008 to 2019 by March 31. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya, a CPI-M leader, highlighted the need for state government employees to strike to enforce the court’s decision, emphasizing the government’s failure to act promptly. The Sangrami Joutho Mancha, a collective organization of various employee associations, initiated a work stoppage to protest the government’s alleged reluctance in disbursing Dearness Allowance (DA).
The Trinamool Congress-led government in West Bengal issued a notice mandating attendance for concerned employees on Friday to prevent salary deductions, except for those on valid leave. Despite this, Bhattacharya remarked that employees are more focused on securing their legal entitlement rather than being deterred by such warnings. He expressed regret over the suspension of court proceedings due to the government’s inaction in implementing the Supreme Court’s directive.
Bhattacharya questioned the government’s commitment to judicial orders, raising concerns about its disregard for legal mandates. Sayan Banerjee, another CPI-M leader, criticized the government’s nonchalant attitude towards court decisions and highlighted the employees’ right to receive the pending DA arrears. Banerjee joined the protest in support of the employees’ strike, emphasizing the importance of fulfilling the court-mandated payments.
The Joint Movement Forum indicated that the state government might ignore the Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which required the payment of 25% of the DA arrears by March 31. The government was instructed to align DA payments for state employees with those of Central government staff, settling the accumulated arrears since 2008 in a phased manner.
