West Bengal Announces 4% DA Hike for State Employees, Effective April 1st

• West Bengal's interim budget announced a 4% Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for state government employees.
• The increased DA will be effective from April 1st, meaning employees will see the raise in their salaries from the next financial year.
• The 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme beneficiaries will receive an increased amount of 500 rupees per month, effective from February.
• A Supreme Court bench recently clarified that the state government must pay 25% of outstanding DA arrears accumulated since 2008, as per the All India Price Index.
• Other budget announcements include a 'Cultural City' in Baruipur, six industrial corridors, five new industrial parks, and a 1000 rupee allowance increase for ASHA workers.