A schoolteacher in North Dinajpur district refused the three per cent dearness allowance hike announced by the Mamata Banerjee government earlier this month. Partha Pratim Choudhury, the teacher based in Raiganj, has sent a letter to the district inspector of schools, saying the extra DA should not be added to his salary for the month of March.

“Considering the hike in prices of different commodities, I believe a dearness allowance of three per cent is too meagre an amount. A case in this regard is pending at the Supreme Court. I have made the move in protest as the state is depriving the government employees,” said Choudhury, who teaches at Raiganj’s Dhalgaon Junior High School.

In his letter he added he did not need the dearness allowance. “Please do not add it to my salary for the month of March and onwards,” Choudhury wrote.

Choudhury, who claimed he was not associated with any teachers’ organisation, sent the letter through the teacher in-charge of his school. Over the past few weeks, government employees and teachers have resorted to protests, cease work, and hunger strike, demanding that the state pay dearness allowance on a par with central government counterparts.

State employees used to get three per cent DA, which after the recent hike announced by Chandrima Bhattacharya, the minister of state for finance (independent charge), would be six per cent. Central government employees get 38 per cent DA.

The announcement, however, didn’t pacify employees who continued with their protests and observed cease work on Monday and Tuesday. Choudhury’s letter has drawn support from various quarters.

Dulal Rajbanshi, the convener of Sangrami Joutha Mancha — an apex body of government employees in the district — said it was an unprecedented move.

“We appreciate his decision. It will encourage us to continue our movement across the state,” he said. Mohammad Salim, the state CPM secretary, has also appreciated the teacher. Representatives of Trinamul Madhyamik Sikshak Samiti, however, said Choudhury should also be vocal against the Centre for depriving the state which is responsible for the cash-strapped exchequer.

“He should also raise his voice against the central government that is not clearing the state’s dues,” said Prasun Kumar Dutta, district president of the organisation. Sources in the teacher’s school said he gave the letter on Tuesday. “We will forward his letter to authorities,” said teacher-in-charge Arghadeep Sikdar.