CM Banerjee Announces DA Arrears Payment for Government Employees and Educators in West Bengal
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has announced a major step in alleviating the dearness allowance (DA) arrears faced by government employees, pensioners, and educational faculty. The plan includes payment from March 2026 and an increase of honorarium for priests and muezzins to 2000 rupees per month, totaling millions impacted, as West Bengal moves through its current election period.
Highlights
- •CM Banerjee announces immediate action on pending dearness allowances and a substantial hike in salaries for religious figures
- •Plan includes payment starting March 2026, benefiting over a million employees and associated institutions across West Bengal
- •Relief initiative is part of the ongoing State government efforts to maintain popularity prior to upcoming elections
- •Detailed guidelines issued by Finance Department ensuring transparent implementation of the plan
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal has made a significant announcement regarding pending dearness allowance (DA) issues faced by government employees, pensioners, and staff associated with educational institutions. This news comes as a welcome relief for millions affected by this issue.
The state government of West Bengal plans to begin paying the remaining unpaid dearness allowances under ROPA-2009 from March 2026. In addition to DA payments, Banerjee has also announced an increase in the monthly honorarium for priests and muezzins, now set at 2000 rupees per month, a substantial hike from the previous rate of 500 rupees.
The announcement was made in post shared on her official Instagram account during the ongoing assembly election. According to Banerjee, this initiative will benefit state employees and pensioners as well as educators across various institutions including schools, colleges, aided educational facilities, panchayats, municipal bodies, and other local organizations.
The government has detailed the modalities for the phased payment of DA arrears in a notification issued by their Finance Department. Employees and pensioners associated with state agencies such as municipalities and aid institutions will also benefit from this decision. The State government emphasized that they have fulfilled their promise to all employees, including teachers, non-teaching staff, and other concerned individuals within various sectors.
Banerjee's announcement comes amidst the 2026 assembly election in West Bengal, highlighting her commitment towards fulfilling public needs and easing economic burdens for millions of people. This initiative aims to provide significant financial relief to those who have been affected by long-standing DA arrears issues across various state-funded sectors.
