West Bengal Government Announces DA Hike
Ahead of the new year, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a 4% hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for all government employees. The increase will be effective from January 1, 2023. The announcement will benefit all 14 lakh government employees, including teaching and non-teaching staff of schools, colleges, and universities, employees of all government enterprises, and pensioners.
Chief Minister’s Statement
Mamata Banerjee stated that the government would have to incur an additional expense of Rs. 2,400 crore for the DA hike. She said, “For us, DA is optional, not mandatory. We are increasing the DA by 4% keeping in mind the welfare of the employees.”
Meghalaya Employees Receive Gift
Recently, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma also announced an early release of December salaries and a 3% hike in DA for 55,000 government employees. The chief minister shared an office memorandum from the finance department on social media platforms, which declared an increase in DA from the existing 36% to 39% for employees and pensioners starting July.
Allowance for Current Performance
Government employees in West Bengal have been protesting for almost a year demanding an increase in DA. There have been sit-ins and demonstrations for this cause. Recently, the police had denied the protesting government employees permission to stage a sit-in. Following this, the employees went to the Kolkata High Court, which granted them permission to protest from December 22.
★West Bengal government announces 4% hike in Dearness Allowance for all government employees.
★The increase will be effective from January 1, 2023.
★The Meghalaya government also announced a 3% hike in DA and early release of December salaries for its employees.
★West Bengal government employees have been protesting for almost a year demanding an increase in DA.
