West Bengal Govt to Settle Pending DA Arrears for Employees and Pensioners from March 2026

The West Bengal government has announced that pending dearness allowance (DA) arrears will be released from March 2026, as per PTI reports.  

The dues relate to the Revision of Pay and Allowances (ROPA) 2009, which governs salary structures for a wide section of state-linked employees. 

According to the state, payments will be made in line with modalities set out by the finance department. The arrears have remained unsettled for several years, forming a key demand among employees and pensioners. 

Coverage Across Employee Categories 

The arrears will be paid to state government employees and pensioners, along with teachers and non-teaching staff in educational institutions. Employees and retirees associated with grant-in-aid institutions are also included. 

In addition, staff linked to local bodies such as municipalities and panchayats fall within the scope of the payout. The coverage reflects the administrative reach of ROPA 2009 across different public sector roles. 

Court Direction Sets Deadline 

The matter had been taken to the Supreme Court by a section of employees seeking clearance of dues. The court directed the state to release 25% of the outstanding DA arrears by 31 March 2026. 

The government’s plan to begin payments from March aligns with this directive. The order effectively establishes the timeline for the initial phase of disbursal. 

The DA arrears, however, relate to earlier pay revisions under ROPA 2009 and are not linked to current salary changes. 

Significance of DA Payments 

Dearness allowance is intended to offset the impact of inflation on salaries and pensions. Delays in payment can affect household budgets, particularly for pensioners and lower-income employees. 

Read More: Punjab and Haryana HC Orders State to Release Pension, DA Arrears by April 30, 2026! 

Conclusion 

With disbursal scheduled from March 2026 and a court-mandated partial release in place, the state has outlined a process to address long-pending DA arrears under ROPA 2009. 

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