12 states don’t give DA at central rates, Bengal govt tells SC
Times of India | 23 September 2025on Monday that at least 12 states do not provide dearness allowance (DA) to govt employees at central rates.
Bengal argued that govt employees in the state are not deprived of DA; rather, it is provided according to the state's financial capacity.
The state said under Article 309 of the Constitution, each state has the autonomy to determine the salaries and allowances of its employees, and there is no obligation to adhere to the central govt's DA policy.
Bengal added that DA is not a fundamental right for govt employees, who can only claim what is stipulated by the state's notification or service rules.
The other states cited were Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Telangana and Tripura.
The apex court reserved its verdict in the case on Sept 8.
