Modi government hikes 5% in DA of employees and pensioners

At the Union Cabinet meeting held today, the Narendra Modi government as a Diwali gift to central government employees and pensioners had announced the highest ever 5 per cent hike in dearness allowance (DA). The hiked rate will be applicable retrospectively from July this year.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told the media, "The government has increased the DA from 12 per cent to 17 per cent. This is the highest ever 5 percentage points increase in DA in one go by the central government."

The announcement is said to be benefiting around, 50 lakh central government employees and 65 lakh pensioners. The hike will cost the government exchequer around Rs 16,000 crore.