While central government employees are eagerly awaiting their Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for the July-December half-year, the West Bengal government has announced a significant boost for its employees. Just before the upcoming Durga Puja festival, the state government has made a historic announcement of a massive 20% increase in DA and DR for all government employees and pensioners, effective October 1st. This significant increase will increase the DA of state employees to 38%. A major update has also emerged regarding the formation of the Seventh Pay Commission in the state. Let’s explore the full details of both these important decisions.
Find out the full details of the Finance Department’s notification.
According to an official notification issued by the state’s Finance Department, existing employees will now receive a Dearness Allowance (DA) of 38% of their revised basic pay under the Sixth Pay Commission. Additionally, the pensions of all eligible retired employees will now be calculated based on this new and revised rate. It should be noted that the Seventh Pay Commission has yet to be fully implemented in West Bengal, but the state government has made it clear that it will be implemented within the current financial year.
Which categories of employees will directly benefit from this significant decision?
This major and relieving decision by the West Bengal government will directly benefit millions of employees in the state. This primarily includes regular state government employees, all state government pensioners, and family pensioners. Furthermore, employees of various statutory bodies and those working in public sector undertakings (PSUs) will also be able to benefit.
This government order does not only cover these individuals; employees of panchayats, municipalities, municipal corporations, and other local bodies will also benefit. On the other hand, teachers and non-teaching staff of government-aided educational institutions will also be able to benefit from this significant DA increase.
Good news for employees covered by the Fifth Pay Commission
The government notification also clarified that employees who are still receiving their salaries under the Fifth Pay Commission will receive DA at the increased rate of 223% from October 1, instead of the current 171%. Furthermore, pensioners and family pensioners whose pensions have not yet been revised under the Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) 2009 rules will also continue to receive the benefit of dearness relief (DR) at the substantial rate of 223% until the revised pension system is implemented.
What did the Chief Minister say about the DA difference and the Seventh Pay Commission?
Addressing an event held at Bhawani Bhavan, the headquarters of the West Bengal Police in Kolkata on July 28th, the Chief Minister reiterated his government’s commitment to bridging the current DA gap between state employees and central government employees. Referring to his budget speech, he clarified that this 20% DA increase will be implemented from October.
He also stated to the public, “There is currently a significant 42% DA gap between central and state employees. We cannot completely eliminate this gap overnight, so this process will take some time.” He also assured the public that the government remains committed to implementing all the recommendations of the Seventh Pay Commission for the state.
The Seventh Pay Commission has officially been constituted.
The West Bengal government has officially constituted the Seventh Pay Commission for the state. According to the clear guidelines of the Terms of Reference (ToR) of this new Commission, this Commission will conduct a very in-depth review of the salaries, allowances and all service conditions of all the employees and pensioners of the State Government and submit its recommendations to the Government.