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New Delhi. The Supreme Court on Thursday has given big relief to more than 20 lakh state government employees of West Bengal. While directing the state government, the court said that DA dues for the period from 2008 to 2019 should be paid. It also said that, as per its earlier interim order, at least 25% of the outstanding amount should be released by March 6. The bench of Supreme Court Justices Sanjay Karol and PK Mishra said that DA is necessary for calculating emoluments under ROPA. The Bengal government had filed a petition against the DA citing financial capacity, that argument was rejected by the court.
Formation of committee on the orders of SC
The Supreme Court has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of former apex court judge Indu Malhotra to monitor the DA payment process. This committee will include Justice Indu Malhotra along with 2 justices and CAG officials. All the members of the committee will together decide how the outstanding DA will be paid. Its report will have to be prepared and submitted to the Supreme Court by May 16. The next hearing will be held only after the report.
DA pending for 12 years will be available
The state government has described the Supreme Court order as ‘arbitrary’ and ‘capricious’. Whereas the court accepted that the change in the rules had created a legitimate expectation among the employees and the state government had violated it without any concrete principles. However, the court has also accepted that DA cannot be given twice in a year. At the same time, the court has left the question of considering dearness allowance as a fundamental right for later. At present, today has been a great day for the state employees. Because the DA pending for 12 years will now be available at 25 percent before March 6.
Leader of Opposition welcomed
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said, “This was a long pending issue, on which the decision has come today. We welcome it. DA is the right demand, for this we supported the employees. By March 6, Mamata Banerjee’s government will have to pay Rs 10,400. The demand for DA is right, it has been established today by the order of the Supreme Court. After April, there will be no government here to protect infiltrators.”
