India, Feb. 6 -- The BJP on Thursday hailed the Supreme Court's directive to West Bengal to pay dearness allowance to State Government employees and called the order a "major blow" to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

BJP co-incharge for West Bengal Amit Malviya also said the top court's verdict "exposes" the State Government's apathy towards its own employees and marks a "big victory" for justice and accountability. In a relief to nearly 20 lakh Government employees, the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the West Bengal Government to pay dearness allowance to them for the 2008-2019 period, saying it is a legally-enforceable right.

A bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and Prashant Kumar Mishra directed the State Government to pay 25 per cent...