Kolkata: Bengal govt will release Rs 4,000 crore in pending dearness allowance (DA) to its employees by Nov 30, in compliance with the Supreme Court order, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said on Wednesday.Speaking to reporters at Nabanna, Adhikari said the total pending DA arrears stood at Rs 12,000 crore, of which Rs 8,000 crore had already been disbursed by the previous govt and the present dispensation. “I believe DA is their right. As per the Supreme Court order, the pending DA amounts to Rs 12,000 crore. Between the previous govt and us, we have disbursed Rs 8,000 crore. Retired Justice Indu Malhotra committee will be in Kolkata on Dec 14. But before that, by Nov 30, the pending DA will also be cleared,” he said.The CM added that govt had submitted its representations to Malhotra committee and would consider the matter after receiving its directions.In Feb, Supreme Court held that DA was an enforceable legal right of Bengal govt employees, not a discretionary grant. It directed the state to immediately release 25% of outstanding arrears and constituted an oversight committee headed by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra to monitor calculations and finalise a timeline for disbursal of the remaining amount.In a separate move, the finance department introduced West Bengal Salary Advance Scheme, offering regular govt employees across Groups A to D digital access to short-term and multi-month salary advances. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance and reduce dependence on high-interest loans.Under the short-term facility, employees can avail up to 50% of their monthly salary, repayable within 60 days. No interest or processing, platform or convenience fee will apply if repayment is made on time. The multi-month facility allows repayment over two to 60 months, subject to the tenure not extending beyond retirement. The advance may go up to 30 times monthly gross salary, while EMI cannot exceed 50% of gross salary. Instalments will be deducted directly from salaries after digital consent.Separately, govt has raised the ceiling for advances to purchase motorcycles, scooters and electric two-wheelers to Rs 1.20 lakh. The sanctioned amount will be the lowest of this ceiling, five months’ basic salary or anticipated vehicle cost.
