( OT Webdesk)The Supreme Court of India has directed the West Bengal government to pay 25% Dearness Allowance (DA) to state government employees.
This interim order follows years of legal battles and protests by employees demanding parity with central government pay scales.
The ruling, issued by a bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta, mandates the payment within three months and schedules the next hearing for August.
The decision could significantly impact the state’s finances, as more than 10 lakh employees and pensioners are set to benefit.
The legal dispute dates back to 2022 when the Calcutta High Court first ruled in favour of employees, but the state government appealed, citing budgetary constraints.
Currently, central government employees receive a 55% DA rate, while West Bengal employees get only 18%, including a recent 4% hike implemented in April 2025.
Dearness Allowance is a cost-of-living adjustment meant to help government employees cope with inflation.
The Supreme Court’s ruling reinforces the employees’ demands for fair compensation, but the West Bengal government has yet to release an official response.
