The central government is likely to increase the Dearness Allowance by 3% for all government employees on Wednesday, sources tell ABP Live. A decision is expected to be taken in the cabinet meeting today.
The increase in Dearness Allowance or DA will come as a relief for the central government employees amid the rising prices of fuel and increasing inflation. The increase in DA was stalled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Currently, the dearness allowance that is given to the central government employees and pensioners is 31 percent and a 3 percent hike is expected to be announced in the meeting. The hike will take the figure to 34 percent. This decision is set to benefit about 50 lakh government employees and 65 lakh pensioners.
Central employees will be paid full payment of the new DA along with the salary of March. After Holi, the employees will get all their money for the last two months. The central employees will get the benefit of arrears ranging from Rs 73,440 to Rs 2,32,152 20, once the new DA in place.
The last DA hike was given in October last year when it was increased from 28 percent to 31 percent.
The dearness allowance is paid to the central government employees to offset the impact of inflation on the employees' salaries. It is applicable for both employees and pensioners.