Steering Committee Appeals to President for Dearness Allowance and Equal Pay Policy Demands Fast-Tracking of Supreme Court Case and Implementation of "One Nation, One Pay"

New Delhi & Kolkata:
In a direct appeal to the Hon’ble President of India, the Steering Committee of West Bengal State Government Employees—affiliated with the Forward Bloc—has demanded immediate intervention to ensure payment of Dearness Allowance (DA) and implementation of the "One Nation – One Pay" policy. Partha Pratim Dey, Joint Secretary of the organization, has addressed the issue in a letter highlighting the state government's continued denial of DA as a statutory right.
According to the letter, under the ROPA Rules 2009 and the All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI) guidelines, the payment of DA is a constitutionally recognized entitlement, upheld by multiple judicial rulings. However, the West Bengal government continues to treat DA as a discretionary allowance. Despite a favorable ruling from the Calcutta High Court, the state has challenged the verdict in the Supreme Court, where the case remains pending due to significant delays.
The Committee also highlighted a clear instance of disparity: while employees posted at Banga Bhavan in Delhi and Youth Hostel in Chennai receive DA at central government rates, their colleagues in West Bengal under the same administration are denied the same, violating the principle of "equal pay for equal work."
The letter also criticized the continued increase in salaries and perks for ministers and legislators, in contrast to austerity measures imposed on regular employees. The Steering Committee urged the President to address this inequity and ensure a fair pay structure.The key demands include Immediate direction to the West Bengal Government to pay DA in accordance with ROPA 2009 and AICPI guidelines Implementation of a “One Nation – One Pay” policy to bridge disparities between central and state government employees
A fair and equal pay structure for all employees under the West Bengal administration, regardless of their place of posting (Delhi, Chennai, or West Bengal) A comparative analysis of salary structures of ministers and regular employees to formulate a unified policy
Assistance in expediting the ongoing Supreme Court case for timely justiceThe Steering Committee emphasized that the Hon’ble President’s just and timely intervention would safeguard constitutional rights and bring relief to lakhs of dedicated public servants in West Bengal.