The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a 4% increase in Dearness Allowance for government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners starting from January 1, 2024. This decision, which impacts 49.18 lakh employees and 67.95 lakh pensioners, comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. The annual cost of this move is estimated to be Rs12,868.72 crore. Prime Minister Modi presided over the meeting, and the hike is in accordance with the Seventh Central Pay Commission’s suggestions.
