In a decisive move to implement the Supreme Court’s landmark judgment, the West Bengal government has released a comprehensive 9-point Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to clear the long-pending Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears for the period 2008 to 2019. The Finance Department’s detailed circular aims to provide transparency and a structured timeline for the disbursement of funds to nearly 1.2 million serving and retired employees.

Key Highlights of the 9-Point SOP:

1. Calculation Method: Arrears will be calculated based on the All-India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) rates as directed by the apex court.
2. Phased Payment: The first phase of arrears (2016-2019) will be paid in two equal installments: the first in March 2026 and the second in September 2026.
3. GPF Crediting: For Group A, B, and C employees, the arrear amount will be credited to their General Provident Fund (GPF) accounts.
4. Cash for Group D: Group D employees will receive their arrears directly in cash via their linked bank accounts.
5. Lock-in Clause: Arrears credited to GPF accounts cannot be withdrawn for a period of 24 months, except in cases of retirement or death.
6. Pensioners’ Payout: Retirees will receive their Dearness Relief (DR) arrears directly into their pension accounts in cash.
7. Heirs of Deceased Staff: Nominees or legal heirs of deceased employees are eligible to receive the dues after verification.
8. Portal Integration: Technical updates have been integrated into the IFMS and HRMS portals for automated bill generation.
9. DDO Responsibility: Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) are mandated to process the bills and submit them to treasuries immediately.

The process is being overseen by a high-level monitoring committee appointed by the Supreme Court. While the state treasury faces a significant financial burden, the release of this SOP marks a major victory for employee unions that have fought a legal battle for years. Employees can now track their arrear status through the updated HRMS portal.