Strike over DA sees mixed outcomes in Bengal; 75% absent at Calcutta HC, Nabanna, block offices report high attendance

A “cease-work” agitation called by a section of state government staffers overpending dearness allowance (DA)witnessed mixed outcomes on Friday.

The protest was called by the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (Joint Movement Forum) to press the West Bengal government for payment of DA arrears, and implementation of a recent Supreme Court direction on the issue.

A commotion broke out outside Khadya Bhavan, the headquarters of the West Bengal Food and Civil Supplies Department as a section of state government employees tried to stop colleagues from entering the office.

Forum leader Bhaskar Ghosh said that most state government employees abstained from work, and said the protesters appealed to those who turned up to stay away in solidarity with the agitation.

“We offered red roses to those who came to work, requesting them not to attend office today.

Many listened, while those who did not, acted as per their conscience,” he told reporters.

“People supported our legitimate demand.

We will continue our movement till we get our due,” he added.

Ghosh denied allegations that protesters blocked vehicles from entering the premises on Free School Street, and alleged that “provocations came from a few pro-TMC government employees”.

In Calcutta High Court too, almost 75% of employees remained absent.

Chief Justice Sujoy Pal was present in the court room for hearing but no officials and advocates were present in the court.

According to sources, after waiting for some time, the Chief Justice went away.

Sources added that work in the High Court on Friday was stalled due to the strike.

CPIM leader and advocate Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya was also among the protesters.

Members of the forum also staged demonstrations outside government offices in several districts, including Berhampur, Bankura, Barasat, Malda and Midnapore, urging colleagues to refrain from work.

Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly Suvendu Adhikari also claimed that the ‘ceasework’ received widespread support.

Adhikari said that if the Bharatiya Janata Party comes to power in the state, it would implement the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission and ensure payment of dues within 45 days.

However, convener of the Trinamool Congress-backed State Government Employees’ Federation, Pratap Nayek, claimed the agitation failed to disrupt work.

A spokesperson of the TMC-affiliated state government employees’ union claimed that attendance in offices remained “100 per cent” despite the agitation, and said the employees supported the “pro-people and pro-government policies” of the Mamata Banerjee administration.

According to sources, attendance remained high at several West Bengal government offices in the city, including at secretariat Nabanna, as well as in block offices, municipalities, panchayats and state-aided educational institutions across the state.

Meanwhile, the West Bengal Finance Department issued a memorandum, making attendance compulsory for all state government employees on Friday.

The directive said all state government offices and institutions receiving grants-in-aid must remain fully functional, and employees would not be allowed to avail casual leave or any other form of absence on the day.

It warned that any unauthorised absence would be treated as “dies-non” resulting in loss of pay for the day and a break in service record.

The order clarified that employees already on sanctioned maternity leave, child care leave, medical leave or earned leave approved before March 12 would not be affected.

Absence due to hospitalisation, bereavement in the family or serious illness beginning before March 12 would also be exempt subject to verification.

Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting.

His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.

Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.

Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.

Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.

Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.

Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.

Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.

Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.

Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.

Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St.

Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.

Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India....

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