Historic Move: West Bengal Cabinet Approves '7th Pay Commission' for State Employees

Kolkata: In one of the earliest cabinet meetings of the newly formed BJP government in West Bengal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari took a historic decision for state government employees. Fulfilling a long-standing demand and keeping a key electoral promise, the State Cabinet on Monday officially approved the proposal to set up the 7th Pay Commission in the state. This major announcement was made by Agnimitra Paul, a prominent member of the State Cabinet, following the conclusion of the meeting.

Immediately after assuming office, the new government under the leadership of Suvendu Adhikari had made it clear that eliminating disparities in the pay structure and ensuring Dearness Allowance (DA) at central rates were among its primary goals. This decision by the state government has triggered a wave of joy among government employees. It is widely expected that the creation of this new Pay Commission will swiftly bridge the long-standing salary gap between central and state government employees.

Following the meeting, it was announced that the newly formed commission will thoroughly review the current salary structure of state employees and rapidly draft a new framework. The cabinet's decisions, however, extended beyond the Pay Commission. The state cabinet also greenlit several major welfare initiatives, including free travel for women on state-run buses and a monthly financial assistance of ₹3,000 for eligible women under the 'Annapurna Bhandar' scheme. With these back-to-back decisions, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has delivered a major governance masterstroke right at the start of his tenure.