"Will take 100% DA", says MP Bikash Ranjan; calls SC's order 'just the beginning'

The Supreme Court has directed the state government to immediately pay 25 percent of the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) to its employees. This order came after the court dismissed all the petitions filed by the state government challenging the payment of the pending DA. The court has ruled that the employees are entitled to this allowance as per their rights.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had ordered the payment of 50 percent of the pending DA but allowed the state government to implement only 25 percent immediately due to financial concerns raised by the government. The state government’s counsel, Abhishek Manu Singhvi, argued that releasing the full amount at once would cause severe financial strain on the state’s resources.

Rajya Sabha MP and lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya responded to the ruling by stating, “This is just the beginning. I will take 100 percent DA and leave.” He added that the state government has very limited legal grounds left as the court rejected all their pleas. The employees consider this order a significant victory in their long-standing demand for full payment of the pending DA.

Following the announcement, employees at the Shaheed Minar-based Sangrami Sanyukt Manch celebrated by distributing sweets. A leader from the organization mentioned that the Chief Minister described DA as “a gift of mercy,” while the court’s decision confirmed that employees have a legal right to receive DA as compensation for their labor and services.