Overview

• A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra refused the state’s plea for another extension and ordered a full hearing on its nonpayment of the 25% DA arrears due by June 30
• Both West Bengal’s lawyers and employee unions told the court that dearness allowance is not a fundamental right under the Constitution
• Senior advocate Kapil Sibal argued that each state sets its own DA rates without a uniform national framework
• West Bengal has formed a committee to calculate the exact share of more than ₹40,000 crore in pending DA liabilities
• The court will continue hearings this week and has signaled possible contempt proceedings if the government fails to comply