The Bengal government has cancelled leave on February 20 and 21 in view of a pen-down called by several employee unions demanding dearness allowance parity with central government employees.

In an order issued on Saturday evening, the state government made it clear that attending offices on those two days was mandatory.

Those who don’t report for duty on those two days will face a break in service and deduction in salary.

“These provisions are in place for any strike called by political parties. Though no strike was called by employees’ unions, the state government is not in a mood to take any chance,” said a senior official.

Sources said the state government decided on stern action to nip the problem in the bud as more employees are joining the agitation for DA parity.

A joint forum of unions over the past three weeks have been protesting against state government employees getting 3 per cent DA, 35 per cent less than their central government counterparts. With the recent 3 per cent hike announcement, the gap will be 32 per cent.