The West Bengal Finance Department has issued a set of notifications to clear long-pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) dues for government employees. The move follows a recent directive linked to a February 2026 ruling by the Supreme Court of India, prompting the state to begin settling arrears accumulated over more than a decade.
The decision comes shortly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee publicly highlighted the government’s intent to address the issue. The dues span the period from April 2008 to December 2019, although payments will be rolled out in phases due to financial constraints.
In the first phase, arrears from January 2016 to December 2019 will be cleared. These payments will be calculated based on the All-India Consumer Price Index and released in two instalments scheduled for March and September 2026. The earlier dues, covering 2008 to 2015, will be addressed later, with timelines yet to be announced.
Payment methods will vary by employee category. Group A, B and C employees will have their arrears deposited into their General Provident Fund accounts, with a lock-in period of two years. In contrast, Group D employees will receive payments directly in their bank accounts.
Pensioners will see their dues credited directly, while former employees will need to apply through their previous departments. In cases of deceased employees, payments will be made to legal heirs.
The initiative also extends to staff in aided institutions, local bodies and state-run entities, marking a broad-based effort to resolve long-standing dues across the state workforce.
