Mamata Banerjee On DA Protest: In West Bengal, the opposition BJP, Congress and the Left are demanding dearness allowance or DA at par with central government employees. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has targeted the opposition-backed protests on the issue of dearness allowance. He said that the state does not have funds to pay more to its employees. Chief Minister said, "They keep asking for more, how much more will I give?"
Where did the ruckus start?
State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya presented the budget for 2023-24 in the assembly on 15 February. During this, he announced that the government would pay 3 percent additional DA to its employees, including teachers and pensioners, from March. Till now, the state was paying 3 per cent of the basic salary as DA and the budget announcement meant that the government would pay an additional 3 per cent DA to its employees, including teachers and pensioners, from March.
‘Which government gives so many holidays with pay?’
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee targeted the Left and BJP in her speech. Both the parties are supporting the demand of DA of state government employees at par with that of central government employees. Mamta Banerjee asked, "The pay scales of the Central Government and the State Government are different. Today BJP, Congress and CPM have come together. Which government gives so many holidays with pay?"
‘Why are you comparing with the central government?’
Targeting the opposition, the Chief Minister of Bengal said, "I have paid 1.79 lakh crore DA to government employees. We give 40 days paid leave. Why are you comparing with the central government? We give free rice, but see the price of cooking gas? They increased the price just a day after the elections. What else do these people need to be satisfied?"
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