West Bengal : West Bengal CM Increases Allowance for Priests and Muezzins to ₹2,000/Month; Announces Pending DA for State Employees from March 2026
Translated & Rewritten News (English):
Just 75 minutes before the announcement of the West Bengal assembly elections, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced a ₹500 hike in the monthly allowance for priests and muezzins (those who call the Adhan). Their new monthly allowance will now be ₹2,000.
In a post on X on Sunday afternoon, Mamata wrote that priests and muezzins play a key role in maintaining the spiritual and social life of their communities. She added that under the government’s allowance scheme, all new applications from priests and muezzins have been approved.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the government is proud to create an environment where every community and tradition is respected and strengthened, ensuring that guardians of India’s rich spiritual heritage receive proper recognition and support.
Pending DA for State Employees
CM Mamata also made a major announcement for state employees and pensioners. She said the government will fulfill its commitment by initiating the pending Dearness Allowance (DA) payments under ROPA 2009.
The benefit will extend to state government employees, pensioners, millions of teachers and non-teaching staff in educational institutions, and employees of funded bodies such as panchayats, municipalities, and other local bodies.
The pending DA payments under ROPA 2009 will begin from March 2026, and the state’s Finance Department has already issued detailed notifications outlining the payment process and rules.