The Government of Kerala has announced a 10 percent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for its employees.
With this decision, DA will rise from 25 percent to 35 percent of basic pay.
The official order was issued on February 20, and the revised amount will be reflected in March salaries.
For thousands of employees, this brings timely financial relief.
Who Will Get the Benefit?
The DA hike covers a wide group of beneficiaries.
It includes state government employees, staff of local self-government institutions, and both teaching and non-teaching staff of aided schools, colleges and polytechnics.
Full-time contingent employees are also included.
In addition, part-time teachers, part-time contingent staff and re-employed pensioners will receive the increased DA based on their eligible pay.
For most employees, the higher DA will start showing up in the March salary.
Pensioners to Receive Higher Dearness Relief
The government has also increased Dearness Relief (DR) by 10 percentage points for pensioners.
This will benefit state service pensioners, family pensioners and ex-gratia beneficiaries.
The revised DR will be paid with the April pension.
Details about how arrears will be cleared will be shared in a separate order.
In the case of local bodies, the extra financial burden will be managed by the respective institutions using their own funds.
What About PSUs and Other Bodies?
The order also provides guidelines for state Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), statutory corporations, autonomous bodies and grant-in-aid institutions that follow the state’s DA and DR pattern.
These organisations can implement the revised rates based on decisions taken by their boards or governing bodies.
However, if they cannot afford the additional cost, they will need prior approval from the state government.
Institutions where more than 90 percent of salary or pension expenses are funded by government grants can release the revised DA and DR with approval from their governing body, without separate state clearance.
Exceptions to the Rule
The order does not apply to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
These organisations will issue separate orders and follow their own procedures while revising DA and DR for their employees and pensioners.
Overall, the DA hike is expected to ease financial pressure on government employees and pensioners, offering a welcome boost to their monthly income.
