Now Reading: West Bengal notifies 38% DA hike for employees from October 1
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West Bengal notifies 38% DA hike for employees from October 1
The West Bengal government has officially notified a 38% dearness allowance and dearness relief hike for state employees and pensioners, effective October 1, ahead of Durga Puja. The Finance Department notification covers…
The Story in Brief
The West Bengal government has officially notified a 38% dearness allowance and dearness relief hike for state employees and pensioners, effective October 1, ahead of Durga Puja. The Finance Department notification covers employees under the 6th Pay Commission, while those under the 5th Pay Commission will receive DA at 223%. Daily-rated workers not covered by the Minimum Wages Act will get an ad hoc increase of Rs 110 per day. The notification also empowers administrative departments to implement the hike without further approval.
Separately, The Economic Times reports that the newly constituted 7th state pay commission has proposed terms including pay parity with central employees, 5% annual increments, and restoration of commuted pension after 11 years. The commission aims to recommend a revised pay structure from January 1, 2026, with a fitment factor after 100% DA merger, following the 8th Central Pay Commission model.
The Indian Opinion
The Bengal government deserves credit for delivering the DA hike ahead of Durga Puja, but the narrative that this is a generous pre-election bonanza ignores the 42% gap with central employees. The 7th pay commission's terms, as reported by The Economic Times, propose ambitious reforms like 5% annual increments and pension restoration after 11 years. The real test will be implementation: can the state's finances sustain these promises without ballooning debt or delaying salary payments?
Sources (3): timesnownews.com, livemint.com, economictimes.indiatimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 3 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 3 sources.
