7th Pay Commission Latest News Today: Centre Hikes Dearness Allowance (DA) by 3 Per Cent For Government Employees, Pensioners From Jan 1, 2019

"The Cabinet has approved additional DA of 3 per cent over the existing rate of 9 per cent to government employees and dearness relief to pensioners from January 1, 2019." 

7th Pay Commission Latest News Today: Ahead of the forthcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019, Narendra Modi-led Union Cabinet on Tuesday announced a hike in dearness allowance (DA) for the central government employees cum pensioners. The allowance has been increased by 3 per cent effective from January 1, 2019. The decision was taken during a Central Cabinet meeting, chaired by PM Modi. The move will benefit 1.1 crore central government employees cum pensioners.

Speaking to reporters after the meet, Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said,”The Cabinet has approved additional DA of 3 per cent over the existing rate of 9 per cent to government employees and dearness relief to pensioners from January 1, 2019.”

The hike will benefit about 48.41 lakh central government employees and 62.03 lakh pensioners. This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission.

Besides, the Cabinet also approved a proposal for promulgation of Indian Medical Council (Amendment Second Ordinance-2019).

Earlier this month, the Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in Punjab had reportedly announced 6 per cent DA hike for the employees, with effect from February 1, 2019.

“The Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday announced 6% Dearness Allowance (DA) to government employees and pensioners, with effect from February 1, 2019,” an official statement of the Punjab government had said, reported Zee Business.