Kolkata: On March 6, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, said that Trinamool Congress (TMC) Government will not be able to provide it on par with that of the Union Government, amid the protest by the State Government employees demanding an increase in dearness allowance (DA).
Further, the Chief Minister said that, the protesting Opposition that they can behead her but she can’t do anything to increase the dearness allowance, while speaking at the extended budget session in the Assembly.
Also, she explained the difference in the salary structures of the Union and State Governments and claimed that the TMC Government is already giving its employees DA of 105 per cent.
“I am giving 105 per cent DA. How much more do you want? State government employees have different pay scales from central employees. We don’t have so much capacity as they (the Centre) are not giving 100 days’ work money and others. Accept what we are giving (DA issue). If you don’t like me, behead me. But beyond this, I cannot do anything,” said Mamata Banerjee in the State assembly on protests over dearness allowance and other demands.
However, in the 2023-24 budget, West Bengal Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya announced a 3 per cent hike in the dearness allowance for State Government employees and pensioners.
Several organisations of State Government employees are protesting for increasing the dearness allowance on par with the Union Government Employees.
(with inputs from ANI)
