West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee announces a 4% raise in DA

Kolkata: Announcing a 4% raise in Dearness Allowance (DA) for West Bengal government employees from January 2024, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Thursday and reiterated that Dearness Allowance (DA) is not mandatory but optional.

Banerjee, who was speaking at the inauguration of Christmas Carnival at Allen Park in Park Street today, said that the announcement of DA is a Christmas gift to the government employees.

West Bengal government employees have been protesting for more than a year to press for their demand for a hike in the DA.


“There is a huge dearth of funds due from the Centre and I have met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the issue,” Banerjee said, adding, “The DA will be implemented from January 2024. Earlier, we have given 6% DA to government employees .”

With the hike in DA, around 14.5 lakh government, semi-government, all staturtory undertakings, teaching and non-teaching, para-teachers and pensioners will be benefitted. With the present hike, the DA has been raised to 10%. The state government will have an additional expenditure of Rs 2755 crore for providing the DA, state secretariat said in a statement.

“The service rules of the central government and our’s is different. Keeping in mind the new year, I am offering this DA,,” Banerjee said.

Banerjee also spoke about harmony of all religions and Christmas as a festival of happiness, harmony, love, integrity and unity. "Despite different colours, caste and creed, we are all united. May God give peace to your family all over the world,” Banerjee said, as she spread the word's of peace and harmony.

She said that she visits St Paul's Cathedral every year on the eve of Christmas.