West Bengal DA Hike: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday gave New Year and Christmas gifts to the state government employees. The Chief Minister announced that his government will give a four percent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) to all its employees from New Year's Day. Banerjee made this announcement at the inauguration of Kolkata Christmas Carnival 2023 at Allen Park in the Park Street area of the city.
Announcement of a 4 percent increase in DA
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said, "I announce that all 14 lakh state government employees, teaching and non-teaching staff of all schools, colleges, and universities, and employees of all statutory undertakings and parastatals and pensioners will be on leave from January 1." Another installment of 4 percent DA will be available from 2024."
This much burden will fall on the government
Banerjee said that the provision of DA is mandatory for the central government while it is "optional" for the state. He said that for the increase in DA, his government will have to bear an additional expenditure of Rs 2,400 crore.
Government employees of West Bengal have been protesting for almost a year demanding an increase in DA. They also demand the regularization of DA and bringing it at par with its central government counterparts. The current difference is about 36 percent.
Meghalaya also increased the DA
Meghalaya government has also given another big reason to its employees to celebrate. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Wednesday announced the early release of December salaries for 55,000 government employees and a three percent increase in dearness allowance. After this decision, dearness allowance for employees and pensioners has been increased from the current 36 percent to 39 percent.
