West Bengal govt. employees protest over DA arrears

Hundreds of West Bengal government employees joined a State-wide strike called by Angrami Joutho Mancha, a rights group, over dearness allowance (DA) dues on Friday. The protesters claimed that the State government hasn’t cleared the dues despite a Supreme Court order.

The protest comes after a February 5 order by the apex Court to pay 25% of the outstanding DA to its employees by March 31. Bhaskar Ghosh, State convener of Sangrami Joutho Mancha told The Hindu that their strike was successful. “We also demanded that the 6 lakh government jobs vacant in the State be filled immediately with complete transparency. We also want the contractual workers to be made permanent,” Mr. Ghosh said.

‘Govt. threat’

Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janta Party and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), extended their support to the protesters. During the day, there were allegations that protesters had stopped their colleagues from entering government offices, which led to a scuffle at the Khadya Bhavan, the headquarters of the West Bengal Food and Civil Supplies Department. However, they denied the allegations and said they only offered roses to employees and requested them not to join work.

A teacher of a government-aided primary school said that they were warned of action by the government if they participate in the strike and would be asked to explain their absence from work. They anticipate that they will get a show-cause notice, but hoped their salary will not be deducted. Attendance for March 13 was made compulsory by the government, and only emergency leaves would be considered.

Other government employees unions and organisations also took part in the strike. Members of these forums staged protests outside government offices across multiple districts in the State, including Bankura, Medinipur, and Malda.

Commenting on the protests, BJP State president Samik Bhattacharya said Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has “cheated” government employees and pensioners regarding DA.

“They have failed to pay the DA. This government will not be able to pay the dues. The new government [BJP] will come to power and start the Seventh Pay Commission within 45 days. This is our commitment,” Mr. Bhattacharya said. He added that they, as the primary Opposition party, will use their position to help any protester who has been harassed during the strike.

Meanwhile, TMC government employee unions have said that attendance at government offices has been high and claimed the strike was unsuccessful.

TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh criticised the protests and said that strike was only held by some factions of the BJP and left front.