DA Arrears: Newest updates – The new thing for central employees! The Dearness Allowance (DA) is going to be increased from January 1, 2025, and this is going to stretch their pay. In addition, a fresh update regarding the 18 months’ DA arrears has also come up. Employees have been waiting for quite long to get this and now the decision from the government is going to come on it. Employees will find this relief during this inflation-struck time through increased salaries coupled with DA arrears payments. Let’s know deep about it.
How Much Dearness Allowance (DA) Is Being Given Currently?
The government of India has made the latest enhancement in dearness allowance for the employees in October 2024, which was effective for them from July 2024. Currently, the sit of dearness allowance as extended to all the government employees stands at 53%.
Now there is an expectation that DA would hike once again in January 2025, which is healthy for increasing the paycheck of the employees. Along with this is the stir regarding the pending 18-month DA arrears.
DA May Increase Post-Budget
Following the budget presentation for the year 2025-26, the government will announce the hike in dearness allowance. This will not restrict to only lower-level employees, but there is also an extension of this benefit to higher officials. Furthermore, the 18-month pendency with respect to DA is being spoken about, which will become quite a solace for the employees.
How Will It Benefit?
- The Dearness Allowance (DA) is projected to increase from 53% to 56%.
- This means that government employees will get direct benefits in cash.
- An employee with a basic pay of Rs 18,000, thus, may see a basic pay rise of Rs 540 per month.
Updates On Pending 18-Month DA Arrears
Central employees are awaiting 18 months of pending DA arrears. The issue has been raised by Shiv Gopal Mishra, Secretary of Joint Consultative Mechanism National Council, in a letter to PM Narendra Modi.
He demanded the payment of DA withheld from January 2020 to June 2021. The government has already declared its intention not to release it in Parliament; however, the matter is gaining traction amid rising demand from employees.
Why Is The DA For 18 Months Being Withheld?
Every year DA is revised twice in the case of central employees but during the Corona epidemic the government had withheld DA from January 2020 to June 2021, because of:
- Financial constraints arising due to the Corona epidemic;
- To save the DA from the onslaught of budget pressures.
Now that things are normal, and the government itself has gone ahead making fresh announcements, the employees are hoping that this time around, the government will consider their pending arrears.
Double Benefits For The Employees
If the government gives due consideration for the release of pending DA arrears along with increasing DA, double relief will be provided to the employees.
- The increase in salary will start from January.
- Dumping of pending DA arrears would mean lump-sum payment.
Still, the final decision is pending with the government, but there is a sheen of good news for employees expected very soon.
Big Relief For Government Employees!
It’d Finally be better if DA increased from January 2023 as this would add pain into the month of salaries of employees. Just at the same time, the government is under pressure concerning the dues of 18-month pending DA arrears payment because its release can be the greatest new-year bonus for employees.
Now, it is to see what the government will say over it! Whether it will turn out to be fulfilled for the employees or whether they will be waiting for some more time. This will clear out in the next few weeks.
Also Read: Salary And Pension Of Government Employees Increase Every 10 Years – Here’s How Much