The Calcutta High Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal government to hold talks with the government employees staging protests for an increase in dearness allowance (DA) before April 17. The bench of Acting Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam said that the employee unions should give names of the three representatives who on their behalf will meet with government officials. Senior officials such as the state Chief Secretary and the Finance Secretary should talk to the agitators, the bench observed. “I want a positive solution to the issue. Government employees are going on strike time and again. An immediate action is required on part of the government. Many people come from far-off places by trains or buses to get their work done. They have to return without getting their work done,” Justice TS Sivagnanam said. The court also sought to know from government counsel Saptanshu Bose whether the government employees were reporting to work or not. “What about hospitals? The courts should include emergency services also. Lower courts are in a trouble in such a situation which needs a solution. What will happen if such strikes are observed every 15 days? asked the Acting Chief Justice. Referring to the state employees' DA case pending in the Supreme Court, he asked, “Can't the employees wait until the final order comes?” The case is likely be heard on April 11. On Thursday too, the joint forum of government employees and the state coordination committee held a pen-down strike in government offices, schools, colleges and courts. The strike was called in protest against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee terming government employees “thieves and robbers”. The CM had made these remarks when she sat on a two-day dharna on Kolkata's Red Road on March 29 to protest against non-issuance of funds by the Central government to the state. During the budget session of the West Bengal Assembly, CM Mamata Banerjee had said, “I am giving 105% DA. How much more do you (employees) want? State government employees have different pay scales from central employees. If you don't like me, behead me.” She had added, “DA was hardly paid during the CPM government. We will be able to reduce debt only if we stop pensions. I want to know from the Opposition parties whether we should stop pension on which Rs 1.79 lakh crore is being spent. Money will not descend from the skies. We give everything for free.”
