“Behead My Head If…”: Mamata Banerjee

Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said despite Centre’s indifference in paying dues to the state government and to carry on with the social welfare schemes, the government has announced 3 per cent DA to its employees.

Mamata Banerjee hit out at Opposition-backed protests over Dearness Allowance issue, declaring the state does not have funds to pay more to its employees. The Opposition BJP, Congress and the Left in the state have been demanding Dearness Allowance or DA on par with Central government employees.

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

“But, I cannot be so inhuman. Many states have stopped giving pension to the employees. Teachers are getting pension on time. During the Left Front regime they had to run from pillar to post to get their pension. Now, things have changed since we came to power in 2011.”

Miss Banerjee added, “I am carrying on with the welfare schemes. I cannot do anything more and if severing my head makes you happy, go ahead. The employees are comparing the DA with their counterparts from the central government. The central government employees have different pay scales. One should be sensible. The state government has looked after its employees well, they should realise. We get Rs one lakh crore from the centre and to pay the DA we spend Rs 1.64 lakh crore,” she maintained.

“Central government and state government pay scales are different. Today the BJP, Congress, and the CPM have come together. Which other government gives so many holidays with pay?” Mamata Banerjee asked.

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