The Sangrami Joutha Mancha, which has spearheaded the movement for DA parity for the last few years, hailed the Suvendu Adhikari government’s decision after the state finance minister Swapan Dasgupta, announced an additional 20 percent DA (Dearness Allowance) in the 2026 state budget.
With the latest increase, the total DA payable to state government employees will rise from 18 per cent to 38 percent.
The announcement was one of the most significant measures unveiled in the state budget and has been welcomed by employee organisations that have been campaigning for higher DA for years.
Speaking to UNI, the convenor of Sangrami Joutha Mancha Saibal Sarkar said, “This hike is an acknowledgement of the demand raised by the state government employees over a long period. The previous government treated us in a humiliating way, but this government is trying.”
“While happiness cannot be measured by any unit, this is certainly a recognition of a long struggle. The government is trying to implement promises that were made before coming to power, and we welcome that effort,” Sarkar said.
When asked about the pending DA payments, Sarkar said, “The chief minister has already assured us that the government will clear the pending DA of four years in instalments. We need to trust him and give him time.”
Central government employees currently receive 58 per cent DA, indicating that a difference of 20 percentage points will continue even after the latest revision. However, employee representatives noted that a single-step increase of 20 percentage points is unprecedented in West Bengal.
Ahead of the state budget presentation, employee leaders had demanded full settlement of DA arrears and the creation of permanent posts to address vacancies in government departments.
Sarkar also congratulated the state government for their effort to fill one lakh vacancies in government departments.
“This will change the entire economy of the state. There are over 6 lakh vacancies and the previous government had done nothing. As a result, the entire pressure was on us. The promise of this new government will help in managing the functions of the state government better,” Sarkar said.
Sarkar also praised the state government’s approach to fiscal management, saying that the administration had demonstrated that DA could be increased despite financial challenges.
He added that the budget had addressed multiple sectors and expressed hope that remaining issues would be discussed in the future.
According to employee representatives, the budget has responded to those concerns by announcing measures related to recruitment in vacant posts alongside the DA hike.