File photo Observing that a govt must behave as a ‘model employer’ and lack of funds cannot be a ground to deny its employees their dues, Supreme Court Thursday directed West Bengal govt to pay dearness allowance (DA) to its employees for the 2008-19 period.A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra ordered that the first instalment should be paid by March 31 and appointed a committee, comprising its former judge Indu Malhotra, former chief justice of Jharkhand HC Tarlok Singh Chauhan, former HC judge Goutam Bhaduri and Comptroller and Auditor General of India, to monitor implementation of its order.SC rejected Bengal govt’s defence it lacked funds and said it is not open for the State to shirk its responsibility of paying DA on account of financial difficulty, given that it is an obligation arising out of a statute of its own creation. “It has often been recognised that the State must set an example for other employers in the country by behaving as a ‘model employer’. Such a position should not be difficult to attain given all the advantages that it has. Its power lies in the volume of employment, its sovereign/constitutional authority to tax, ability to borrow and manage public finances… Leading by example, fulfilling its financial duties in times of fiscal strain, gives it the moral authority to wield the sword of law against private entities, should they not do so.”SC said the least that is expected of a State in a democracy is that it honours its obligations and commitments arising from a legislation or judicial decisions, for such obligations are not discretionary. “This clear position protects such statutory obligations, for if such a ground of limited financial ability was readily available to govt, which may undoubtedly in certain situations face tough times, it would render these obligations illusory. When it comes to employees’ dues, this proposition would be extremely dangerous and stifling since the amounts received thereby are not handouts or acts of charity but are earned compensation/consideration for services given,” it said.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Casebook Study Of How To Deal With Trump’: Former Envoy On India’s Restraint Amid US Provocations’Sense Of Relief After High Tariffs’: Dhruva Jaishankar On What India US Trade Deal Changes’Is This Mohabbat Ki Dukaan?’: PM Modi Hits Out At Opposition Over ‘Modi Teri Kabr Khudegi’ Slogans’Trump Wanted Unilateral Deal With India’: Former Envoy Unpacks India-US Trade Deal AnnouncementRahul Gandhi Called Ravneet Bittu ‘Traitor’ Because He Is Sikh: PM Modi’s Big Attack’Sit And Protest’: PM Modi Unfazed By Slogans, Takes Dig At Kharge As Opposition Walks Out Of RS’PM Hiding Behind Speaker’: Priyanka Gandhi Slams Om Birla’s Remark On Modi’s Lok Sabha Speech SkipWorld Praises India-US Trade Deal: PM Modi Tells Rajya Sabha Youth Will Gain Global Opportunities’Women MPs Near PM’s Chair’: Speaker Om Birla Reveals Why PM Modi Skipped Lok Sabha Speech’India Open To Explore Commercial Merits Of Venezuela Oil Import’: MEA On Trump’s Russian Oil Claim123PhotostoriesValentine’s Day Gift Ideas According To Your Birth NumberNora Fatehi birthday special: Best fashion moments of the ‘Dilbar’ girlFrom Erica Fernandes to Upasana Singh: TV stars expose the industry’s dark side10 popular spicy dishes in the worldCraziest things people have stolen from popular tourist locations5 high-performance cars that blend beauty with engineering powerPriyanka Chopra to Katrina Kaif: 5 iconic bridal jewellery pieces that made it to wedding trousseau of Bollywood’s top divas8 quick vegetarian air fryer dishes you can make in under 10 minutesFrom a lavish house in Dubai to net worth: Tejasswi Prakash and Karan Kundrra’s luxurious lifestyle5 countries where tourist travel is extremely restricted123Hot PicksBudget 2026Gold Silver PricesParliament Budget SessionGCC Unified Visa 2026Income Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingKayla NicoleAyesha CurryCardi BTravis Kelce Super Bowl PartyTyler ShoughScott ArnielNHL Trade RumorsChicago Bulls vs Toronto RaptorsJoe FlaccoChris Paul
Observing that a govt must behave as a ‘model employer’ and lack of funds cannot be a ground to deny its employees their dues, Supreme Court Thursday directed West Bengal govt to pay dearness allowance (DA) to its employees for the 2008-19 period.A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra ordered that the first instalment should be paid by March 31 and appointed a committee, comprising its former judge Indu Malhotra, former chief justice of Jharkhand HC Tarlok Singh Chauhan, former HC judge Goutam Bhaduri and Comptroller and Auditor General of India, to monitor implementation of its order.SC rejected Bengal govt’s defence it lacked funds and said it is not open for the State to shirk its responsibility of paying DA on account of financial difficulty, given that it is an obligation arising out of a statute of its own creation. “It has often been recognised that the State must set an example for other employers in the country by behaving as a ‘model employer’. Such a position should not be difficult to attain given all the advantages that it has. Its power lies in the volume of employment, its sovereign/constitutional authority to tax, ability to borrow and manage public finances… Leading by example, fulfilling its financial duties in times of fiscal strain, gives it the moral authority to wield the sword of law against private entities, should they not do so.”SC said the least that is expected of a State in a democracy is that it honours its obligations and commitments arising from a legislation or judicial decisions, for such obligations are not discretionary. “This clear position protects such statutory obligations, for if such a ground of limited financial ability was readily available to govt, which may undoubtedly in certain situations face tough times, it would render these obligations illusory. When it comes to employees’ dues, this proposition would be extremely dangerous and stifling since the amounts received thereby are not handouts or acts of charity but are earned compensation/consideration for services given,” it said.
