7th Pay Commission DA Hike: 5 State Governments Announce Diwali Gift For Employees; Salaries Set To Increase

Ahead of Diwali, the central government announced a 3% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from July 1, 2024 in the latest 7th Pay Commission update.  

With the latest DA hike announced in October, employees and pensioners will receive three months of arrears with their salary before Diwali. 

The Odisha government has approved a 4% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for workers in State Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) who are receiving salaries based on the Revised Scale of Pay, 2017. This increment, which raises the DA from 46% to 50%, will be effective from January 1, 2024. 

On the eve of Dasehra, the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, announced a 4% increase in Dearness Allowance for state government employees and pensioners, effective from January 1, 2023. Additionally, the outstanding medical bills of government employees and pension arrears for those over 75 years old will be settled immediately. 

The Jharkhand government has approved a 9% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees. Previously, employees were receiving a DA of 230% under the Sixth Central Pay Commission. The new raise brings it to 239%, effective from January 1, 2024, providing financial relief to many state government workers.  

Before Diwali, the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Vishnu Deo Sai, declared a 4% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees, raising the total DA to 50%.  

The Sikkim government has raised the Dearness Allowance for its employees by 4% ahead of the Durga Puja festival. State government employees will see their DA increase from 46% to 50%, starting January 1, 2024.