A group of state government employees in West Bengal plans to take a stand on the issue of pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears by staging a mass leave on March 30. A mega protest march will also be organised in Kolkata on the same day by the joint forum of state government employees which is heading the movement.
In addition, they will launch a mass email campaign from March 26 and stage a two-day sit-in demonstration at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on April 10 and 11. The employees have been observing a “digital non-cooperation” movement against the state government on the DA issue, including a day’s strike and a two-day pen-down strike.
On March 30, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is scheduled to lead a sit-in protest in New Delhi, calling for the Union government to pay outstanding dues under various centrally-sponsored schemes.
The joint forum spokesman stated that while their legal battle at the Supreme Court of India regarding the DA issue will continue, they will also continue their movement on the streets.
They plan to take the movement to the national capital of Kolkata, as a crucial hearing on the DA issue at the Supreme Court on Tuesday was deferred for the fifth time to April 11. By organising these protests, the state government employees hope to build additional pressure on the issue of pending DA arrears and ensure that their demands are met.
