Kolkata, Dec 7 (PTI) Despite acute financial crisis, the West Bengal government today announced a 10 per cent dearness allowance for its employees which would cost the state exchequer Rs 250 crore per month. Announcing the 10 per cent DA, part of the pending 23 per cent due to the employees since 2010, chief minister Mamata Banerjee said the D A would be paid from January 2012. The state government had taken the decision considering the price rise of essential commodities, she said. "This will cost the exchequer Rs 250 crore per month and Rs 3,000 crore annually", the chief minister said. The chief minister said if the financial condition improved, her government would try to pay the pending DA to the employees. "We are fully seized with the financial problems of the employees," she added. Referring to media reports that the Centre had sanctioned some financial assistance to the state, Banerjee said it was nothing but funds for Backward Region Development. PTI AKB PB MM SKT
