Will West Bengal release D.A. this week ?

All most all the major states except West Bengal are paying D.A to their employees at the central rate. The J &K was the latest to follow the suit. Yesterday they have released 10% D.A. in the budget. W.B. Finance Minister Mr Ashim Dasgupta is going to present the vote on account on 10th March in the assembly. Will he release the much awaited D.A. tomorrow?

That is a million dollar question. As releasing Dearness Allowance is not considered as an extra benefit, it may not violate the model code of conduct for election and thus may be spared by the E.C.  Normally the state announces instalment of D.A. with effect from 1^st April every year. But the state is already in a situation of severe cash crunch and facing problem to arrange even the salary of the staff. Providing additional instalment of D.A @10% will be really tough in this moment.

The C.P.I(M) led left Govt. is going to face the toughest election battle in the last three decades and the state employees are being deprived of D.A. for a long time. Even if the Govt. releases D.A., that too from a prospective date, denying the arrear. The 10 lakh strong Govt employees, once considered as a solid vote bank for the left are quickly changing the camp. Releasing of Dearness
Allowance may prevent the decay to a large extinct.

We all have to wait for the vote on account to find the answer.

(This is no news item, the concept and opinion is of the author)