Mamata Banerjee, chief minister, West Bengal, had recently declared a four per cent hike in the dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees, effective from 1 January 2024.
However, Banerjee’s recent announcement of increment for state-government employees has drawn criticism from opposition parties and state workers. They argue that the 46 per cent DA provided to Central- government employees creates a significant disparity.
During a festive event in Kolkata, Mamata Banerjee justified her decision, highlighting that the four per cent increase would positively impact around 14 lakh state government employees and pensioners, incurring an additional cost of Rs 2,400 crore for the government. The raise will benefit teachers and staff in educational institutions, statutory undertakings, parastatals and pensioners.
State employees, associated with the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (SJM), have been advocating for a year to achieve parity in DA increases with their Central government counterparts.
Even after the recent raise, state-government employees feel it’s not enough and are determined to persist in their protest until the government addresses their full DA demands.
Opposition leaders are supporting the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (SJM), and there’s a big rally planned for January, followed by a three-day “pen down” strike.
For approximately a year, West Bengal government employees have been demanding an increase in DA. They are also demanding regularisation and aligning of DA with the rates granted to Central-government employees.
