In a proactive move to resolve the long-standing Dearness Allowance (DA) crisis, the West Bengal government has decided to keep state government offices open this coming Saturday and Sunday. The Home Ministry issued a directive stating that officials and staff must report for duty over the weekend to expedite the process of clearing DA arrears, following recent developments in the Supreme Court.

The decision aims to accelerate the administrative and financial calculations required to meet the court’s requirements. Nabanna (the State Secretariat) is leaving no stone unturned to ensure that data verification and fund allocation processes are completed within the stipulated timeframe. The usual weekend holiday has been cancelled specifically for departments handling personnel and finance matters related to employees’ dues.

The DA issue has been a major point of contention between the state administration and various employee unions for years. With the case reaching the Supreme Court, the state government is now working on a war footing to address the complexities. By keeping offices operational on holidays, the government intends to signal its seriousness in resolving the matter and avoiding any further legal contempt.

While some employees expressed dissatisfaction over the loss of their weekend break, many see this as a positive sign that their financial demands are finally being prioritized. This move is being viewed as a significant tactical shift by the state government to manage the growing pressure from both the judiciary and the workforce.