Last Update: March 07, 2023, 09:09 AM IST
Kolkata [Calcutta]India
File photo of West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee. (PTI file photo)
Mamta Banerjee also cited the example of BJP ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Tripura where DA is not given by the governments
Chief Minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee West Bengal on Monday reacted to the ongoing protest demanding enhanced Dearness Allowance (DA) for the state government employees. He said that even if the protesters “cut off” his head, the state government would not be able to provide it.
His comments come at a time when a large section of state government employees are demanding dearness allowance at par with that of the central government. The opposition BJP, Congress and the Left in the state have been demanding dearness allowance or DA at par with central government employees.
Speaking in the extended budget session of the Assembly on Monday, Banerjee cited the difference in salary structure of the central and West Bengal governments.
“How much do you (agitating government employees) want? how much will satisfy you? Please cut off my head and then hope you will be satisfied… If you don’t like me, cut off my head. But you won’t get any more from me,” she said.
He also blamed the BJP-led Center for not providing enough funds to Bengal. Accusing the Center of financial crunch, he said, “The state government is giving as much as possible. It is not mandatory to pay DA. The pay scales of central and state government employees are different. State government employees get more holidays. Taking more leaves and asking for more DA will not work.”
He also cited the example of BJP ruled states like Uttar Pradesh and Tripura where DA is not given by the governments. A PTI report quoted him as saying that pension to retired state government employees is given only in West Bengal. He claimed that the TMC government in the state is already giving 105 per cent DA to its employees.
The Bengal government recently increased the DA for its employees by three per cent in this year’s budget. It also issued a notification to grant DA at the rate of six per cent of their basic pay to employees, pensioners and family pensioners with effect from March 1, 2023, following the recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission.
Continuing to speak in defense of her government’s stand on the issue, Banerjee said, “Does the state have a Reserve Bank? We have not yet received Rs 1 lakh crore from the Centre. Money will not fall from the sky. I have given government employees Gave a chance to visit Srilanka, Bangladesh and Thailand.
No Objection Certificate is mandatory for Government servants applying for leave to go abroad on private tour. Prior permission from the competent authority is also necessary for such travel. The West Bengal government had in 2015 allowed state government employees to travel to neighboring countries once in ten years under the LTC scheme.
Some agitating government employees observed a 48-hour ‘kalam bandh’ last week in this regard, ignoring warnings of action against them.
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