Thu Oct 17 00:56:29 UTC 2024: ## Central Government Employees Get Diwali Bonus: DA Hiked by 3%

**New Delhi, October 16** – In a move to boost the morale of central government employees ahead of Diwali, the Union Cabinet has approved a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA). This brings the total DA to 53% of basic salary, benefiting over 1 crore employees and pensioners.

The hike, announced by Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, will add an estimated ₹9,448 crore annually to the paychecks of central government employees. The DA is a cost-of-living adjustment designed to mitigate the impact of inflation on employees’ expenses.

The increase follows the government’s usual practice of revising DA twice a year, in January and July. This year, however, the announcement comes ahead of the festive season, mirroring a similar move in 2022.

The government’s decision comes at a time when several states, including Himachal Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, have also announced DA hikes for their employees. Himachal Pradesh has implemented a 4% increase, benefiting 180,000 employees and 170,000 pensioners, while Chhattisgarh has raised its DA to 50%, impacting nearly 3.9 lakh employees.

With inflation continuing to affect household budgets, the DA increase is expected to provide some relief to government employees and pensioners across the country.

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