Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) before Dussehra. This decision will benefit lakhs of employees and pensioners in the state. The government has approved the increase for those under the Fifth Pay Commission and the Sixth Pay Commission.
New DA Rates
The DA of employees under the Fifth Pay Commission has been raised from 455% to 466%. For those under the Sixth Pay Commission, it has been increased from 246% to 252%. This will bring extra money every month for government staff and pensioners.
| Pay Commission | Old DA Rate | New DA Rate | Monthly Benefit* |
| Fifth Pay | 455% | 466% | ₹2,200 approx. |
| Sixth Pay | 246% | 252% | ₹1,200 approx. |
*Based on ₹20,000 basic salary
When Will It Start
As per ANI, the new DA rates will apply from January 1, 2025. This is for employees of public bodies and undertakings in the state. Pensioners will also get the same benefit.
What is DA
Dearness Allowance (DA) is extra money given to employees and pensioners. It helps them fight inflation. DA is linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which shows the inflation rate.
How DA is Calculated
For central government employees, DA is based on the CPI of industrial workers. The base year (2001=100 or 2016=100) is used for calculation. Different groups of employees follow different rules for DA.
How States Decide DA
Most states follow the central government’s DA rates. States like UP, MP, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and Kerala usually apply the same DA, but after a delay. Some states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and West Bengal set their DA independently, but the percentage is nearly the same.
Example: If the central government declares 50% DA, then the state will also give 50% of the basic salary as DA. So, if a person earns ₹30,000 as basic pay, then ₹15,000 will be DA.
Benefits for Uttarakhand Employees
In Uttarakhand, employees under the Fifth Pay Commission will get an 11% increase in DA. If the basic pay is ₹20,000, then the employee will now receive an extra ₹2,200 every month.
For Sixth Pay Commission employees, DA is increased by 6%. With a basic pay of ₹20,000, the extra benefit will be around ₹1,200 per month.
FAQs
What is DA?
Extra money to fight inflation.
From when will the new DA apply?
From January 1, 2025.
Who will get this benefit?
Employees and pensioners in Uttarakhand.
How much more will staff get?
Between ₹1,200 to ₹2,200 monthly.
Who approved the DA hike?
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.