Pensioners in Madhya Pradesh have received positive news.
After granting 50% dearness relief (DR) to 7.50 lakh state employees, the government is now set to provide the same relief to 4.50 lakh pensioners.
Steps Taken for 50% Dearness Relief
The Madhya Pradesh government has approved 50% DR for pensioners in Chhattisgarh.
Following this decision, it is expected that orders for the same relief will be issued for pensioners in Madhya Pradesh in the next day or two.
Rules for Granting Dearness Relief
The amount of DR given to pensioners in both Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh is determined under Section 49 of the MP Reorganization Act 2000.
Before approving DR for pensioners, both states seek each other’s consent.
The process requires the state that announces DR first to request consent from the other. Once consent is granted, it increases the pressure on the first state to reciprocate.
Consent Formalities from Chhattisgarh
Madhya Pradesh has already given consent to Chhattisgarh for the 50% DR.
This means that when Chhattisgarh’s government is asked for consent for Madhya Pradesh’s pensioners, it will be just a formality. Since both states have BJP governments, this process should go smoothly.
Timeline of Events
On October 17, the Chhattisgarh government wrote to Madhya Pradesh seeking consent for the DR increase.
Madhya Pradesh’s government responded favorably on October 29. Chhattisgarh has already implemented the 50% DR for pensioners under the 7th pay scale starting October 1, 2024.
The Madhya Pradesh government is expected to issue a similar order very soon.
Pensioners’ Concerns
Many pensioners in Madhya Pradesh are frustrated about the lack of an increase in their DR.
Just a day earlier, on October 28, the state government raised the dearness allowance (DA) for employees by 4%, bringing it to 50%.
Pensioners are upset that their DR was not announced alongside this increase for employees.
