AGARTALA, Dec 13 ? Tripura Government has made it clear that it would not be able to pay the pending Dearness Relief to the pensioners of the state. In a gazette notification issued by the additional secretary of Finance Department RK Dey Choudhury on November 16 said that due to cash crunch the state government is unable to pay DA to the pensioners.
It came barely four months later of the Supreme Court?s order directing state government to pay pending DA to the pensioners within one month of the court?s order.
Recently, state Finance Minister Badal Chowdhury categorically stated that there had been no ruling from the court to give DA to state government pensioners at par Central Government pensioners. State government may move to court if required, he said.
This has created resentment among the pensioners of the state. It may be mentioned that pensioners moved to court in 1992 and later it SC verdict saw the pensioners win the case. Strangely enough State Government did not make their stand clear at that time. It was made clear through the issuance of the gazette only on November 16 this year.
Pensioners allege that the State Government is playing false game with the pensioners. Apart from depriving them of their due government also violating apex courts verdict. Fuming pensioners allege that additional secretary, Finance Department had been forced to approve it.