The first day of the pen-down protests by a section of government employees demanding dearness allowance on a par with central government employees on Monday passed off without any major confrontation between the government and 20-odd agitating unions.

However, multiple sources said the game of nerves between the two sides is likely to intensify in the coming days.

The joint forum of employees’ unions said the pen-down programme was successful as most employees did not work throughout the day although they reported for work. The state government said all offices functioned normally and in all 94 per cent attendance was reported across offices.

A platform of 20-odd state government employee’s unions called a two-day pen down programme on Monday and Tuesday. The state government in response cancelled all leaves on these two days and warned absentees of a break in service and a cut in salary.

The joint forum has been carrying out an agitation for the past three weeks demanding DA at par with central government employees. State government employees, leaders said, are getting 32 per cent less DA than central government employees. The gap was 35 per cent before the state government last week announced a 3 per cent DA hike.

“We did not call a strike. So employees attended offices but did not work. This is why it is successful,” said a joint forum leader.

Tuesday is likely to be more intense as the CPM backed Coordination Committee has given a similar call.

“The Coordination Committee is considered to be the largest employees’ union. It remains to be seen what the situation in government offices is on Tuesday...,” said a bureaucrat.

Sources said the government has adopted a wait-and-watch policy for now, but Nabanna top brass is in no mood to give in as the state government is cash-strapped.

A senior bureaucrat said that the government acknowledged the efforts of employees in the success of events such as Duare Sarkar.

“These employees have played a crucial role since 2011 in this government’s success. So, it will be harsh to take disciplinary action because of the pen-down. It is better to wait and make employees believe that the government is sympathetic to their demands but can’t give the due DA because of financial constraints,” said a source.