“Cut off my head if…”: Mamata Banerjee on protests over DA

Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has hit out at the opposition-backed protests over the issue of dearness allowance, saying the state does not have the funds to pay more to its employees. The opposition BJP, Congress and the Left in the state have been demanding dearness allowance or DA at par with central government employees.

“They keep asking for more. How much more can I give?” Ms Banerjee told the state assembly on Monday.

“It is not possible for our government to give more DA. We don’t have money. We have given additional 3 per cent DA. If you are not happy with it, you can behead me. How much more?” You need?” she said.

State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, who presented the 2023-24 budget in the Assembly on February 15, had announced that the government would pay 3 per cent additional DA to its employees, including teachers and pensioners, from March.

Till now, the state was giving 3 per cent of the basic salary as DA and the budget announcement meant that the government would pay an additional 3 per cent DA to its employees, including teachers and pensioners, from March.

In her speech, Ms. Banerjee targeted the Left and the BJP. Both the parties are supporting the demand of DA of state government employees at par with central government employees.

“The pay scales of the central government and the state government are different. Today BJP, Congress and CPM have come together. Which government gives so many leaves with pay?” Mamta Banerjee asked.

“I have given 1.79 lakh crore DA to government employees. We have 40 days leave with pay. Why are you comparing with central government? We give rice free but see the price of LPG? They raised prices one day increased.” after the election. What else do these people need to be satisfied?” Ms Banerjee said, taking a dig at the opposition.