3% DA hike for Central govt staff okayed

FESTIVE BONANZA: Govt approves setting up 57 more KVs, higher MSP for rabi crops and a road project for Assam

- MUKESH RANJAN @ New Delhi

THE government on Wednesday decided to give a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for 49.2 lakh Central government employees and 68.7 lakh pensioners, as the increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

The decision to hike the rates of DA and DR was taken by the Cabinet chaired by PM Narendra Modi, I&B Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, noting that it would provide the desired relief to employees and pensioners ahead of Dussehra on Thursday and Diwali later this month.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), also chaired by the PM, approved the opening of 57 new Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) across the country, aimed at expanding access to quality education.