In Big Move Ahead Of Bengal Elections, BJP Promises 7th Pay Commission For State Govt Employees Within 45 Days Of Forming Government

Union Home Minister Amit Shah today promised to implement the 7th Pay Commission for West Bengal state government employees within 45 days of the BJP forming a government in the state. Addressing a rally at Mathurapur in South 24 Parganas as part of the party's 'Parivartan Yatra' campaign, Shah unveiled what the party terms a "Parivartan Package" that includes dearness allowance hikes, 7th Pay Commission benefits, and recruitment for vacant government positions.

The announcement targets lakhs of state employees who currently receive salaries under the 6th Pay Commission. The central government has already announced the 8th Pay Commission for 2026-27, widening the gap between Bengal's state employees and their counterparts elsewhere.

The Mamata Banerjee government announced the formation of the 7th Pay Commission in the state budget on 5th February, though no implementation timeline has been provided. Employee unions, including the Sangrami Joutha Mancha, have been demanding the commission's formation before the 6th Pay Commission's tenure concluded in December 2025, seeking implementation from January 2026 with interim relief of 50% basic pay if delayed.

The BJP's campaign comes ahead of the April-May 2026 assembly elections, with the party launching nine simultaneous 'Parivartan Yatra' marches across West Bengal covering over 5,000 kilometres. The massive statewide campaign, involving more than 100 central and state leaders, will culminate in a grand rally at Kolkata's Brigade Parade Ground expected to be addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi around 15th March. Party sources indicate the campaign targets over one crore direct citizen contacts.

State government employees currently face a 35% gap in dearness allowance compared to central government employees. The state government recently increased DA by 4% from April 2025, though the BJP has criticised this as insufficient given the decade-long pay disparity affecting state employees' purchasing power amidst high inflation.

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