In a major setback for the state government ahead of the assembly elections, the long-standing Dearness Allowance (DA) dispute has reached a critical legal juncture. Despite the government notifying a 25% payment of arrears by March 31, employee unions are unsatisfied and have moved both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court for full settlement.

Two crucial hearings scheduled for April are set to increase the heat on Nabanna. A contempt petition has been filed in the Supreme Court for allegedly ignoring previous directives, with a hearing likely on April 15. Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court will hear the plea for full implementation of arrears as per the ROPA 2009 rules on April 6. The employees are demanding parity with central DA rates, an increase in HRA, and a hike in the gratuity limit to ₹20 lakh.

While the state administration is rushing to process the initial 25% payment to pacify the workforce before voting begins, the “Unity Forum” has vowed to continue the legal fight. They argue that the 40% gap between employees stationed in West Bengal versus those in Delhi or Chennai is discriminatory. As the election dates draw near, the outcome of these judicial proceedings could significantly influence the political narrative in the state.