West Bengal State Employees' DA Gap Swells to 25% After Central Rate Hike

The central government has announced a rise in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for its employees, prompting a recalculation of the allowance across the public sector. In West Bengal, the state administration has not adjusted its DA, creating a 25% gap between the allowances received by state and central government workers. Officials said the widening disparity could affect morale among state staff and may pressure the state to bring its rates in line with the centre. The state government has not released any immediate timetable for a DA revision, but senior bureaucrats indicated that a review is under way. Analysts observe that such gaps are typical after centre‑led allowance hikes and often lead to negotiations between state and union governments.