Cannot give DA on par with Centre even if protestors behead me: Mamata

With a large section of the state government employees sticking to their demand for enhanced dearness allowance on par with that of the Central government, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that the government will not be able to provide it even if the protestors "behead" her.

Speaking at the extended budget session in the Assembly, Banerjee cited the difference in the salary structures of the central and West Bengal governments and claimed that the TMC government in the state is already giving its employees DA of 105 per cent.

"How much do you (agitating government staffers) want? How much will satisfy you? Please chop off my head and then hopefully you will be satisfied ... If you do not like me, chop off my head. But you will not get any more from me, she said.

Various organisations of state government employees, including the Sangrami Joutha Mancha (united platform for struggle) are agitating for raising the DA on par with the central government ...