Cabinet approves additional 2% hike in DA and DR; to benefit 1.1 crore central govt employees, pensioners

New Delhi: The Cabinet on Wednesday approved additional 2 percent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), a move that will benefit about 1.1 crore central government employees and pensioners, an official release said. The impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs 6,112.20 crore per annum and Rs 4,074.80 crore in the financial year 2018-19 (8 months from July, 2018 to February, 2019). [caption id=“attachment_4866771” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Representational image. Reuters[/caption] The hike will be effected from 1 July, 2018, the release said. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. “The Union Cabinet…has approved to release an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1 July, 2018 representing an increase of 2 percent over the existing rate of 7 percent of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise,” it said. The hike will benefit about 48.41 lakh central government employees and 62.03 lakh pensioners. As per the release, the increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.