Himachal CM announces 5 pc hike in DA for employees, pensioners
Shimla, Oct 23 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday announced a five per cent increase in dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees and pensioners, providing financial relief ahead of Diwali.
The announced increase comprises a four per cent hike for the current year and one per cent pending DA from the previous year.
The decision is expected to benefit around 2.75 lakh government employees and pensioners across the state.
The Chief Minister also announced a one-time payment of Rs 10,000 for Class IV government employees towards pay revision arrears. The amount is scheduled to be credited to their bank accounts on November 1. Sukhu announced this while interacting with the media in Shimla.
He said the formal notification regarding the DA increase would be issued on November 1. The decision comes ahead of the festive season, when government employees and pensioners generally face additional household expenses.
The enhanced DA is expected to provide some financial support to beneficiaries amid rising living costs. The announcement covers both serving employees and pensioners, while Class IV employees will receive the additional one-time payment alongside the DA-related benefit.
Meanwhile, BJP Member of Parliament Suresh Kashyap criticised the Congress government for allegedly attempting to take political credit for development projects being implemented under the Central government’s ambitious Regional Connectivity Scheme, UDAN.
Kashyap said the government “appears more interested in inauguration ceremonies, publicity and political credit than in acknowledging the actual contribution of the Central government”.
Citing official figures presented in the Parliament, Rs 213.52 crore had been allocated for aviation infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh under the UDAN scheme up to June 2024, of which Rs 160.48 crore had been utilised.
By February 2026, a cumulative 38 regional air routes had been operationalised, connecting four heliports under the scheme, he added.
–IANS
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