Supreme Court Mandates Dearness Allowance for Economic Security

The Supreme Court has reiterated the role of the state in safeguarding the social and economic well-being of its citizens. It stressed that the welfare state's responsibilities go beyond law and order to improving living standards.

Amid persistent inflation, the court acknowledged dearness allowance as an essential tool protecting government employees from the adverse effects of rising prices. This stance was taken while directing the West Bengal government to pay dearness allowance for the 2008-2019 period, asserting it as a legally enforceable right.

Linking economic security to human dignity, the court emphasized that dearness allowance helps maintain a minimum standard of living, pivotal under Article 21. It stated that this aligns with India's constitutional ideals, promoting the right to live with dignity and the Preamble's goals.