7th Pay Commission Latest Update: Government employees working in different states along with central employees are currently waiting for dearness allowance to increase. The Modi government was expected to announce Dearness Allowance (DA Hike) and Dearness Relief (DR Hike) before Holi.
But till now no official information has been given regarding this. On the other hand, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken a tough stand regarding the DA hike.
State government employees protesting
Mamta Banerjee made it clear to the employees protesting against the government that as much dearness allowance could have been increased by the government, it has been increased. Now the government does not have the capacity to make another offer. A section of state government employees is demonstrating for the demand of increase in dearness allowance. Recently, Minister of State for Finance Chandrima Bhattacharya while presenting the budget had announced a three percent increase in dearness allowance. DA in West Bengal is six percent of the basic salary.
Employees opposing the strike call in the state on March 10
say that the DA increased by the state government is much less than that of the central employees. Opposition parties in Bengal are also seen standing with the protesting employees. An organization of employees has called for a strike in the state on 10 March.
20,000 crore spent on pension
On the demand of the employees, Mamta Banerjee said that the salary of the employees working under the central government is different from that of the employees working under the state government. He said that the state government employees get leave on different occasions. Banerjee also said that West Bengal is a state which still gives pension (to retired people). The government spends 20,000 crores on this.
The DA increased by the state government in the past has become effective from March 1, 2023. After the DA Hike, the employees say that their DA is 32 percent less than the central employees. Let us tell you that at present 38 percent DA is being paid by the government to the central employees. After the announcement of DA of January, it may increase to 42 percent.
