The Gujarat government has announced an increase of 3 percent in the dearness allowance of its employees and pensioners. This increase will be valid from January 1, 2022. That is, employees and salaried will get arrears.
9.38 lakh employees-pensioners will get the benefit of this. Dearness Allowance will be paid in three parts. The first installment will be given with the salary of August 2022, the second installment with the salary of September 2022 and the third installment with the salary of October.
This increase in dearness allowance will increase the financial burden of about Rs 1400 crore annually on the state government. The hike in dearness allowance was announced by the state Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel after hoisting the flag on August 15. Earlier in May, the dearness allowance was increased by 2 percent. This increase was deemed to be applicable from July last year and was paid in 2 instalments. This dearness allowance is being increased under the Seventh Finance Commission.
How much DA will increase
The dearness allowance of Gujarat government employees has now increased to 33 percent. The government has increased DA twice this year so far. Earlier in September last year, there was a huge increase of 11 per cent in DA. At that time there was an additional burden of Rs 378 crore on the exchequer.
Chief Minister’s other announcements
Gujarat Chief Minister announced that 71 lakh NFSA card holders in 250 talukas of the state will be given 1 kg pulses per card at a subsidized rate. At present, only people from 50 developed taluks are getting its benefits.
The minimum income limit to join the NFSA scheme has now been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. Zero air pollution electric buses will be operated on iconic routes like Dwarka, Ambaji, Statue of Unity to promote green energy in the state. 1200 new BS-6 buses worth Rs 367 crore will be run for the transport facility of the citizens of the state.
ATMs will be installed at 50 bus stations of the state for the convenience of the citizens. Apart from this, Rs 3 crore has been allocated for 50 bedded modern district level hospital with trauma center facility at Ektanagar-Kevadiya Colony.
