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Opposition parties are objecting to the time of DA Hike before the 2026 assembly elections in the state.
West Bengal da Hike
The West Bengal government headed by Mamta Banerjee has given a big reward to state employees and pensioners by 4 percent to 4 percent dearness allowance (DA). West Bengal State FM Minister Chandram Bhattacharya announced DA Hike in Budget 2025. The DA increased in DA will be effective from 18 percent from April 01, 2025.
The DA hike will benefit from more than 1 million state government employees and pensioners directly.
Dearness allowance helps employees and pensioners to face rising inflation and prices, which offers cost-living adjustments. It is calculated as a percentage of basic salary or pension and is revised from time to time.
Important highlights in budget speech 2025
During the budget speech, Bhattacharya said that the unemployment rate of West Bengal was at 4.14 percent by the end of January, below the national average of 7.93 percent.
He said that by 2021, the government took out more than 92 lakh people out of poverty, which has so far increased to 1.72 crores.
Allocation of Rs 1,500 crore for rural road repair, aims to improve connectivity in remote areas and stimulate economic activity, is a major attraction. To help the population of the weak river, the government has also allocated Rs 200 crore to reduce river erosion.
In 2024–2025, the GDP of West Bengal had an expansion of domestic product 6.8%, giving India’s 6.37% national growth rate. Agricultural support, rural infrastructure and social welfare are given top priority in the state budget, which is estimated at Rs 3.89 lakh crore.
Politics stops in the state.
Opposition parties are objecting to the time of DA Hike before the 2026 assembly elections. Refusing any inverted purpose about da hike, Bhattacharya said, “We are confirming our commitment to the welfare of our employees”.