State sets process to clear DA/DR dues of deceased employees

Kolkata: The state Finance Department has introduced a new mechanism to clear pending Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) dues to families of deceased employees and pensioners, addressing uncertainty over such payments.

A helpline (033-22535417) and email support ([email protected]) have been launched to assist claimants.

A Finance Department official said a structured procedure and support framework have been put in place to ensure dues reach nominees or legal heirs. According to a Finance Department notification, in several cases involving arrears from April 1, 2008, to December 31, 2019, the employee or pensioner is no longer alive.

Nominees or legal heirs—preferably with a legal heir certificate—must apply with supporting documents and bank details to the last Head of Office (for DA arrears) or the Pension Disbursing Authority (for DR arrears) within 180 days from the date of the state’s notification on such payments.

Where nominee details exist in official records, arrears will be released directly. In the absence of a nominee, payments will be made to legal heirs after verification. For DA claims, separate procedures have been prescribed depending on the date of death of the employee.

In another development, the state has begun clearing pending DA dues of madrasa teachers, non-teaching staff and pensioners. The Directorate of Madrasah Education on Wednesday night asked all District Inspectors of Schools to submit reports on the number of employees and total pending DA dues for the 11-year period from 2008 to 2019.

Earlier in the day, senior Finance Department officials held a high-level meeting at Nabanna on the DA issue. Chaired by Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Prabhat Kumar Mishra, it was attended by officials from departments including Higher Education, School Education, Transport, Panchayat and Rural Development, and Urban Development.

Sources said the meeting reviewed financial arrangements for clearing arrears of employees and pensioners across departments, including those in government-aided schools and colleges and municipal and panchayat bodies, many of whom are yet to receive dues.

In compliance with the Supreme Court of India orders, the government had earlier announced that 100 per cent of DA arrears for 2016–2019 would be cleared in a lump sum by March 31. Most direct state government employees have already received their dues in GPF or bank accounts.