The Union Cabinet on Wednesday cleared a 4 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) hike for central government employees and pensioners.
As per reports, the Centre was all set to approve the 4 per cent DA hike after today’s Cabinet meeting.
With this decision, the DA for central government employees will increase to 46 per cent from the existing 42 per cent.
The approved DA hike will be effective from July 1, 2023.
The long-awaited decision comes during the ongoing festive season and is being touted as a ‘Diwali gift’ for lakhs of central government employees and pensioners.
The decision will have a positive impact on 47 lakh central government employees and 68 lakh pensioners.
The decision will have a positive impact on 47 lakh central government employees and 68 lakh pensioners.
This is because central government employees will get enhanced salaries from the month of November along with arrears for the period between July and October.
4% DA hike impact on salary
For those with a minimum basic salary set at Rs 18,000, their current 42 per cent DA results in an additional monthly income of Rs 7,560.
At 46 percent DA, their monthly salary increase jumps to Rs 8,280.
Meanwhile, individuals with a maximum basic salary of Rs 56,900, who currently enjoy the advantages of a 42 percent DA, are presently receiving Rs 23,898 as part of their monthly earnings.
At 46 per cent, these individuals will see their monthly earnings surging to Rs 26,174.
The DA functions as a cost-of-living adjustment allowance extended to the government’s committed workforce.
In a parallel capacity, Dearness Relief (DR) serves central government pensioners, offering the means to manage the escalating cost of living. The government revises the rates of DA and DR every six months.