West Bengal Government Warns of Salary Cuts as Employees Strike Over DA Dues

Kolkata, India – The West Bengal government has warned its employees of salary deductions if they participate in a strike called for March 13th, 2026, to protest the delayed payment of dearness allowance (DA) arrears. The administration has declared that all state government offices will remain open and mandatory attendance will be enforced.

Strike Action and Government Response

The strike is being organized by the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, a collective of agitating employees demanding the full payment of their pending DA. According to officials, employees absent without a valid reason will be marked with a “dies non” – meaning the day will not be counted as service – and their salary for that day will be withheld.

Exceptions to the attendance rule will be made for employees facing serious illness, hospitalization (of themselves or a family member), bereavement, maternity abandon, or those with previously approved leave. Employees who are absent without permission will be required to provide an explanation, and failure to do so may result in denied leave, salary cuts, and disciplinary action. Departments have been instructed to verify attendance by March 30th and report any actions taken.

Supreme Court and High Court Directives

The dispute over DA payments has been ongoing, with the Calcutta High Court previously directing the state government to clear the dues. The government subsequently appealed to the Supreme Court of India. On February 6, 2026, the Supreme Court directed the West Bengal government to pay 25% of the outstanding DA to its employees by March 31, 2026 The Hindu.

A committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge Indu Malhotra, will determine the schedule for payment of the remaining 75% of the DA arrears. The state government has informed the court that verifying records for over 3.17 lakh employees is necessary, and many pre-2016 records are handwritten, requiring digitization The Hindu.

Recent DA Hike

Despite the ongoing dispute over arrears, the West Bengal government announced a 4% hike in dearness allowance for its employees as part of the interim budget on February 5, 2026 Livemint. The Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya likewise announced an increase in allowances for ASHA and Anganwadi workers by ₹1,000.

Employee Response

Sangrami Joutha Mancha leader Bhaskar Ghosh stated, “All of India follows the law laid down by the Supreme Court, but in Bengal, the law functions at the direction of one person. The semifinal is over, the final will be played on March 13.” Hindustan Times

Current Situation

As of March 13, 2026, the strike is proceeding despite the government’s warning of salary cuts. The situation remains fluid, with the outcome dependent on negotiations and the implementation of the Supreme Court’s directives.