The Supreme Court affirmed Dearness Allowance (DA) as a legally enforceable right for West Bengal state employees, directing arrears payment from 2008-2019 per West Bengal Services Rules using All India Consumer Price Index (AICPI).
Bench and Timeline
Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra delivered the verdict February 4, 2026—building on May 2025’s 25% interim payment order amid state’s financial pleas; no central-rate parity, but formula-based refix mandated.
Implications
A committee under ex-Justice Indu Malhotra oversees implementation; ends years-long dispute from State Tribunal via Calcutta HC, rejecting twice-yearly payments but upholding anti-discrimination norms.
