Pay 25% DA to state govt employees: Supreme Court asks West Bengal to make payment within 3 months

Currently, central government employees receive 55 percent DA, while West Bengal employees get only 18 percent.

The Supreme Court on Friday directed the West Bengal government to pay 25 percent DA (Dearness Allowance) to state government employees.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Sandeep Mehta issued an interim order directing the Bengal government to make the payment within three months and posted the matter to be heard next in August, according to ANI.

The direction comes amid a long-standing dispute over DA parity with central government employees. The issue began when a group of West Bengal state government employees approached the Calcutta High Court seeking DA at the same rate as their central counterparts, along with arrears. In May 2022, the HC ruled in favour of the employees and ordered the state government to match the central DA rates.

However, the West Bengal government challenged the decision in the Supreme Court by filing an appeal in November 2022. Since then, the state has made marginal hikes in DA, but the increases have fallen short of bridging the gap with central government rates. Currently, central government employees receive 55 per cent DA, while West Bengal employees get only 18 per cent—even after a 4 per cent hike added in April 2025.

However, the West Bengal government challenged the decision in the Supreme Court by filing an appeal in November 2022. Since then, the state has made marginal hikes in DA, but the increases have fallen short of bridging the gap with central government rates.

Currently, central government employees receive 55 percent DA, while West Bengal employees get only 18 percent — even after a 4 percent hike added in April 2025, leading to widespread discontent among the employees.