DA Dues Row: Mamata Banerjee Breaks Silence, Says State Will Take Legal Route After SC Order

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Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday finally responded to the Supreme Court’s directive asking the state government to immediately release 25% of the dearness allowance (DA) arrears to state employees, stating that while she won’t comment on a sub-judice matter, the government will “act legally” in response.

“I will not make any comment on a matter which is pending at the court. But I will act legally in the matter. I generally do not speak on a sub-judice matter. I act as per legal provisions,” Banerjee said during an interaction with media persons in north Bengal, where she is currently on a three-day tour.

Her statement marks the first official response from the Trinamool Congress leadership following the apex court’s order last week. Until now, the ruling party had maintained a cautious silence. Minister of State for Finance (Independent Charge) Chandrima Bhattacharya had stated earlier that only the Chief Minister would speak on the issue, if at all.

With Banerjee now making her stand clear, it signals the state government’s strategic approach to the DA matter — avoiding public confrontation with the judiciary while preparing for a legal counter.

As per initial estimates, releasing 25% of the pending DA to lakhs of government employees would require nearly ₹12,000 crore from the state exchequer — a substantial financial burden in an already tight fiscal scenario.

Top officials in the state Finance Department have reportedly been asked to work on an emergency basis to identify funding avenues. According to government sources, this may lead to a temporary freeze or reduction in allocations for some of the state’s ongoing welfare schemes in order to accommodate the DA payment.

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