Kolkata, February 5: Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have reacted to a significant Supreme Court ruling regarding the long-standing dispute over Dearness Allowance (DA) between the West Bengal government and its employees. They stated that after years of struggle, state employees will finally receive their rightful DA as per the court’s order. In this context, BJP leaders have targeted Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Central Minister and BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar took to social media platform ‘X’ to express, “After a long struggle and unwavering resolve, state government employees will finally receive their legal entitlement to Dearness Allowance following the Supreme Court’s directive. This is a historic achievement, demonstrating the unity, patience, and determination of the state’s government employees.”
Criticizing the Bengal government, Majumdar remarked, “For a long time, the ineffective Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee denied state employees their rightful entitlements. The state government attempted to block the DA by hiring several prominent lawyers using public funds. Moreover, employees faced disgraceful police actions during their legitimate protests, along with derogatory and humiliating comments aimed at intimidating and discrediting them.”
He further stated, “Despite continuous oppression and injustice, state government employees did not give up. Through a long and principled struggle, they have achieved what is rightfully theirs. This victory is not limited to the issue of Dearness Allowance; it is, above all, a victory for justice.”
Welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision, he added, “The country’s highest court has clearly stated that Dearness Allowance is neither a concession nor a charity, but a legal and inalienable right of employees. On this special occasion, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and deep respect to all state government employees for their historic victory and their uncompromising stance in defending their rightful claims.”
Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, stated, “The Supreme Court has upheld the fundamental rights of state government employees in the Dearness Allowance case. Today, Mamata Banerjee has been proven wrong. She has repeatedly claimed that ‘DA is not the right of employees’ to evade her responsibilities. The country’s highest court has affirmed that DA is a legal entitlement of employees, not a grant.”
Adhikari further noted, “After years of struggle, state government employees are finally set to receive their rightful Dearness Allowance as per the court’s order. Mamata Banerjee‘s insensitive government has long kept state employees away from their rightful DA. Despite winning legal battles from the tribunal to the Calcutta High Court, Mamata Banerjee wasted millions of state funds hiring top lawyers solely to deny employees their rightful DA.”
In a post on ‘X’, the Leader of the Opposition wrote, “When employees protested, they were beaten by police batons, yet they patiently continued their work and fought their legal battle trusting the country’s legal system. This victory is a triumph of the collective struggle of state government employees. I congratulate them for this uncompromising fight for their rights. I extend heartfelt congratulations to all state government employees, including those with nationalist sentiments.”