DA Hike: Government Employees Receive a Major Pre-Holi Gift with 12% Increase in Dearness Allowance
Maharashtra Government Approves 12% DA Hike for Employees
In a significant announcement ahead of Holi, the Maharashtra government has decided to increase the Dearness Allowance (DA) for its employees by 12%. This decision is expected to benefit nearly 17 lakh government employees, according to officials from the state’s finance department.
As per the newly issued government order, the DA revision applies to employees under the unchanged pay scale of the 5th Pay Commission. The revised allowance will come into effect from July 1, 2024, providing a direct financial boost to lakhs of employees in the state.
Key Highlights of the DA Revision
According to the Government Resolution (GR), the DA rate has been revised from 443% to 455%. The increased allowance, along with arrears from July 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, will be disbursed in cash with the February 2025 salary.
The resolution further clarifies that all existing provisions regarding DA distribution will remain unchanged. The additional expenditure incurred due to this revision will be managed within the allocated budget for government employees' salaries and allowances. Similarly, financial support for grant-in-aid institutions and Zila Parishad employees will be accounted for under the designated budget subheads.
Jharkhand Government Also Implemented DA Hike
Meanwhile, in a similar move, the Jharkhand government had also announced a DA hike for its employees last week. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Hemant Soren, the state cabinet approved a 7% increase in DA. Effective from July 1, 2024, this revision raised the DA under the Sixth Central Pay Commission from 239% to 246% of basic pay. Pensioners receiving dearness relief under the Sixth Pay Commission also saw a 7% hike, aligning their DA with the revised 246% rate.
This series of DA revisions across states reflects the government's commitment to supporting employees amid rising living costs.
