Kolkata:  You may chop my head off if you are not happy with the State Government increased DA of 3%, said West Bengal Chief Minister Mamatha Banerjee

Speaking at West Bengal Assembly on Monday she said that it is not possible for our Government to give any more DA. We don’t have the money. We have given an additional 3% DA. They keep asking for more. How much more will I give, she said.

State Finance Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya in his 2023-24 budget had announced that the Government will pay 3% additional DA to its employees, including teachers and pensioners from March.

She hit out at the Left and BJP in her speech. Both parties are supporting the ongoing State Government employees’ demand for DA at par with Central Government employees. She also clarified that 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, she questioned?

I have paid DA amounting to 1.79 lakh crore to government employees. We have 40 days of leave with pay. Why are you comparing with the Central Government? We give free rice but look at the price of cooking gas, she added.