Mamata Banerjee announces DA benefits to state govt employees, pensioners; Rs 500 hike in allowances of priests, muezzins
New Delhi [India], March 15 (ANI): An hour before the poll dates announcement for West Bengal Assembly elections 2026, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced that her government will clear DA arrears of its employees and pensioners, including teachers, non-teaching staffers, and workers of grant-in-aid institutions, from March this year.
In a post on X, Mamata said, "I am happy to announce that our Ma-Mati-Manush government has delivered on its promise to all its employees and pensioners, and to lakhs of teachers and non-teaching staff of our educational institutions, as well as employees/ pensioners of our other grant-in-aid institutions like panchayats, municipal bodies, other local bodies etc. They will start receiving their ROPA 2009 DA arrears from March 2026 onwards as per the modalities detailed out in the Notifications issued by our Finance Department."
In another post, she announced an increase of Rs 500 in the monthly honorariums for purohits and muezzins, increasing the total amounts to Rs 2000 per month. The CM also announced the approval of all fresh applications submitted by the purohits and muezzins.
"I am pleased to announce an increase of ₹500 in the monthly honorariums extended to our purohits and muezzins, whose service sustains the spiritual and social life of our communities. With this revision, they will now receive ₹2,000 per month. At the same time, all fresh applications that have been duly submitted by purohits and muezzins have also been approved by the State Government," Banerjee wrote in another post.
"We take pride in nurturing an environment where every community and every tradition is valued and strengthened. Our endeavour remains to ensure that the custodians of our rich spiritual heritage receive the recognition and support they deserve," she wrote.
Earlier on Friday, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced five new Cultural and Development Boards for marginalised communities in the state.
Taking to X, she announced Cultural and Development Boards for the Munda (ST), Kora (ST), Dom (SC), Kumbhakar (OBC) and Sadgope (OBC) communities.
The West Bengal CM wrote, "I am pleased to announce that our government intends to constitute soon five new Cultural and Development Boards for the Munda (ST), Kora (ST), Dom (SC), Kumbhakar (OBC) and Sadgope (OBC) communities soon. These communities are integral to the vibrant fabric of Bengal. My heartiest congratulations to all of them."