Bengal forms its own five-member panel for DA dues
Times of India | 6 February 2026
Kolkata: The Bengal govt on Thursday formed a 5-member committee headed by chief secretary Nandini Chakravorty to examine the Supreme Court order asking the state govt to pay 25% of the outstanding dearness allowance (DA) to its 20 lakh employees by March 31 and to suggest the next course of action.
The SC order will impose an immediate burden of Rs 10,000 crore on the state exchequer and around Rs 42,000 crore in total.
CM Mamata Banerjee said: "We have not received a copy of the (SC) judgment. We need to read it first. We do not wish to comment on the judgment. The committee that was suggested includes former Supreme Court judges but there is no representative from Bengal. We also formed a 5-member committee led by the chief secretary, and we will act according to their recommendations."
Considering the financial implications involved, the SC formed a committee comprising former apex court judge Indu Malhotra, former high court judges Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Goutam Bhaduri, and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (or the seniormost officer in his establishment nominated by him). The committee was asked to determine, in consultation with the state authorities, the total amount to be paid and the schedule of payments, and to periodically verify the release of the amounts.
While speaking on this, Banerjee raised the issue of pension for retired state govt employees, asserting that not every state provides it. "No other state provides pension. What is available in Bengal is not available elsewhere. If I stopped pensions, I would save a lot of money. But what would those who rely on pensions do?" she said.