West Bengal state government employees will receive their 20% dearness allowance increase and salaries for October 2026 before Durga Puja festivities begin, according to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. As reported by Mint, Adhikari directed the finance secretary and finance minister to ensure October salaries are released before Durga Puja, with the additional 20% DA to be released during the Puja month. The early release would allow employees to receive their salaries by mid-month, as West Bengal state government employees typically receive monthly salaries on the last working day.
Addressing a programme at Bhavani Bhavan on Tuesday, Adhikari reiterated the state's commitment to reducing the 42% DA gap between state and central government employees. According to Mint, he explained that the 20% DA hike would come into effect from October, stating that the gap cannot be bridged overnight and will require time. The chief minister noted that while some expected a 42% DA announcement, the government calculated the increase carefully and will bridge the difference gradually. As per the latest reports, Adhikari confirmed that the additional 20% dearness allowance will be effective from October as announced in the state government's budget.
The government is also committed to implementing the 7th state pay commission's recommendations, with the panel set up this month. As reported by Mint, West Bengal officially constituted its 7th pay commission after Adhikari announced the government would implement recommendations within the financial year (FY27). The four-member panel, constituted in a resolution on July 22, is expected to submit recommendations within six months, with potential extensions as considered necessary by the state government. Addressing an event at the West Bengal Police Headquarters, Adhikari stated that employees have not received the benefit of the Seventh Pay Commission and assured that once the commission submits its report in the coming months, the government will implement its recommendations.
Addressing police personnel concerns, Adhikari noted that officers below the IPS rank had not received adequate attention in the past. According to Mint, he said police personnel, like other state government employees, had faced financial hardship over the years. The chief minister assured that once the 7th pay commission submits its report in the coming months, the government will implement its recommendations, bringing state employees' emoluments closer to central counterparts. As reported in the latest developments, Adhikari emphasized that many states have changed their pay structure of employees, but this has not happened in West Bengal, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms.
The state's 20% DA hike last month significantly reduced the salary gap with central government employees, increasing DA to 38% of basic salary for state employees and reducing the gap to 22 percentage points from 42 percentage points. As reported by Mint, Swapan Mondal, general secretary of the Bangiya Shikshak O Shikshakarmi Samiti, appealed to the government to clear the remaining 22-percentage gap by December. The gap exists because West Bengal employees are still covered by the 5th and 6th CPCs, which have much lower salaries compared to the 7th CPC implemented by the Centre, where DA stands at 60% of basic pay. The state's commitment to implementing the 7th pay commission recommendations within the financial year represents a significant step toward addressing these long-standing disparities.
