Blow to Bengal government staff in DA case as Supreme Court refuses to adjourn hearing

 The matter relates to the Bengal government’s appeal challenging the contempt proceedings initiated against it by the employees for the refusal of the state to clear their DA despite a judgment in their favour from high court

TT Legal Correspondent, New Delhi, 02.12.23 : The Supreme Court on Friday refused to adjourn the hearing in the dearness allowances (DA) case involving Bengal government employees to a non-miscellaneous day instead of February 5, which is a Monday and a miscellaneous day in terms of the top court’s parlance.

On miscellaneous days, fresh matters are heard during which lengthy arguments generally do not take place. On non-miscellaneous days, old and part-heard matters are taken up during which lawyers advance elaborate arguments.

Mondays and Fridays are miscellaneous days for the Supreme Court while Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are non-miscellaneous days.

The plea for adjourning the matter to a non-miscellaneous day was made on Friday through a special mention by advocates representing some of the state government employees. But the plea was turned down by a bench of Justice Hrishikesh Roy and Justice Sanjay Karol.

The counsel urged the court to list the matter tentatively scheduled for February 5 to any other non-miscellaneous day so that it is not adjourned due to paucity of time.

The matter relates to the Bengal government’s appeal challenging the contempt proceedings initiated against it by the employees for the refusal of the state to clear their DA despite a judgment in their favour from high court.