Kolkata, June 12: The West Bengal government today announced payment of another two per cent of arrear dearness allowance to its employees from July one, bringing down the pending allowance to 10 per cent. This would benefit about 10 lakh government employees, including teachers, besides three lakh pensioners, finance minister Asim Dasgupta told newsmen after announcing the DA.

Financial constraints had compelled the state government to keep 14 per cent of the DA in arrears. Earlier, the government announced payment of two per cent. With today's announcement of payment of another two per cent, the total DA arrears have come down to 10 per cent.

Payment of another two per cent of DA would entail an additional expenditure of Rs 180 crore, Dasgupta said.

Hailing the announcement, the coordination committee of state government employees said that the government should be given credit for announcing the DA despite financial difficulties.

Bureau Report