In a move that will bring financial relief to thousands, the Haryana government has announced a substantial increase in dearness allowance for its employees and pensioners. The state cabinet, led by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, has approved raising the DA from 54% to 58%, marking a significant 4 percentage point jump.
What This Means for Haryana Government Staff
The enhanced dearness allowance will benefit approximately 3.5 lakh state government employees and an equal number of pensioners across Haryana. This revision aligns Haryana with the central government's DA rate, ensuring parity in compensation for state employees.
The increased allowance will be effective from February 1, 2024, meaning employees will see the difference reflected in their upcoming salary payments along with arrears for the interim period.
Financial Implications and Implementation
This decision carries significant financial implications for the state exchequer. The DA hike is expected to create an additional annual financial burden of approximately ₹1,147.80 crore on the state government.
The implementation will follow a structured approach:
- Immediate application to all regular state government employees
- Inclusion of all pensioners and family pension recipients
- Application to employees of aided schools and technical education institutions
- Coverage under the Old Pension Scheme and New Pension Scheme
Broader Economic Impact
This salary enhancement comes at a crucial time when employees have been facing the pinch of rising inflation. The increased disposable income is likely to boost consumer spending in the state, potentially stimulating local economies across Haryana's urban and rural centers.
The decision demonstrates the state government's commitment to welfare of its workforce while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This move follows the pattern of regular DA revisions that help government employees cope with increasing cost of living.
With this announcement, Haryana joins other states in providing relief to government staff amid economic challenges, setting a positive precedent for employee welfare in the government sector.
