kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK : Kolkata, May 11: The first Cabinet meeting of the new West Bengal government, chaired by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari at Nabanna on Monday, saw a series of key administrative decisions, while major announcements regarding Dearness Allowance (DA) and the Seventh Pay Commission were deferred to the next meeting.

Chief Minister Adhikari stated that the issue of DA for state government employees, along with matters related to the Seventh Pay Commission, will be discussed and decided in the next Cabinet meeting scheduled for next Monday. The announcement has drawn significant attention, as employee unions have long been demanding DA at par with central government rates.

The demand for central-equivalent Dearness Allowance has been a longstanding issue in West Bengal, leading to multiple court cases, protests, and negotiations over the years. With the change in government, employees are hopeful that the new administration will address their concerns and move closer to aligning DA with central government norms.

Preliminary estimates suggest that if the Seventh Pay Commission is implemented, there could be a substantial increase in salaries for government employees across various levels, including Group D staff and senior officials. Some reports also indicate that the government may consider announcing revised DA rates even before the formal implementation of the pay commission.

The Cabinet meeting approved several key policy measures. The government confirmed that no ongoing social welfare scheme will be discontinued, providing reassurance to beneficiaries across the state. The upper age limit for government job applications has been increased by five years, expanding opportunities for job seekers.

The Cabinet also approved the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme in West Bengal, marking a significant step toward expanding healthcare coverage in the state. In another major decision, the government announced that land will be handed over to the Border Security Force within 45 days for fencing along the border areas.

The meeting marked the beginning of the new administration’s governance agenda, with a strong focus on welfare continuity, employment reforms, healthcare expansion, and border security. However, the delay in the DA and Pay Commission decision remains a key point of anticipation for state government employees ahead of the next Cabinet meeting.