The central government has approved a 3% increase in the dearness allowance (DA) for its more than one crore employees and pensioners, raising it from 38% to 45%. This decision was made during a cabinet meeting today, just weeks before Diwali, providing significant relief to government employees during the festive season.
The DA is designed to help government employees and pensioners cope with rising living costs. It is revised biannually and is calculated based on the latest consumer price index for industrial workers.