Thu Oct 17 10:32:09 UTC 2024: ## Central Government Employees Get 3% DA Hike, States Offer More Generous Increases

**New Delhi, India:** Central government employees and pensioners received a 3% increase in dearness allowance (DA), bringing the total to 53% of their basic pay, ahead of the Diwali festival. This increase, approved by the Union Cabinet, comes as several states have implemented more substantial DA hikes for their employees, with some even reaching 9%.

The disparity in DA hikes between the central government and states can be attributed to the varying stages of pay commission implementation. The central government has fully implemented the 7th Pay Commission recommendations, while some states are still adhering to the 6th Pay Commission. This allows them to determine their own DA hikes based on their calculations and mechanisms.

For instance, Jharkhand, which is still operating under the 6th Pay Commission, has increased its employees’ DA by 9%, resulting in a total DA of 239% of their basic pay.

States that have implemented the 7th Pay Commission, on the other hand, generally follow the central government’s lead in announcing DA hikes, although they often lag behind.

The recent DA hikes in several states include:

* **Chhattisgarh:** 4% increase, bringing total DA to 50%.
* **Odisha:** 4% increase, bringing total DA to 50%.
* **Himachal Pradesh:** 4% increase, bringing total DA to 50%.
* **Sikkim:** 4% increase, bringing total DA to 50%.
* **Jharkhand:** 9% increase, bringing total DA to 239%.

The disparity highlights the diverse approaches to employee compensation across different levels of government. While the central government provides a national framework, states have the flexibility to cater to their specific economic situations and priorities.

**In a separate development, Mumbai airport police are investigating a fake bomb threat posted on Twitter concerning SpiceJet flights. The threat caused panic and led to passenger evacuation, highlighting the dangers of spreading false information on social media. Police are urging the public to report any suspicious activity to prevent similar incidents from occurring.**

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