Following the footsteps of the central government, the Yogi Adityanath government of Uttar Pradesh has also decided to increase the Dearness Allowance (DA) of the state employees. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the Finance Department to prepare its blueprint at the earliest. This decision of the government will benefit about 16 lakh state government employees and 12 lakh pensioners. In view of the Kovid-19 epidemic, the amendment in DA was stopped in 2020 so that the state exchequer should not be extra burdened.
The Uttar Pradesh government had announced in April 2020 that there would be no increase in DA till July 1, 2021. DA is increased twice a year, generally on 1st January and 1st July. Because of this, the government employees of the state were deprived of DA. It was said on behalf of the government that the Center on July 14 announced to increase the DA of basic pay from 17 percent to 28 percent. The Finance Department has started preparations in this regard, but department experts say that the order for payment of DA at the rate of 28 percent is likely to be issued in August. The Central Government has issued a mandate in this regard, deciding to pay DA at the rate of 28 percent to its employees from July 1.
On behalf of the government, the spokesperson said that the state will follow it and the chief minister has asked the finance department to prepare a proposal on it immediately, so that the changes can be implemented at the earliest. The additional installments of DA and dearness relief due on January 1, 2020, July 1, 2020 and January 1, 2021, have not been paid to state employees and pensioners. Apart from state government employees, employees of aided educational institutions and technical education institutions and employees of urban local bodies, pensioners will be benefited by this order.
In the election year, the state government will not delay in paying DA at the increased rate to the employees. With the increase of 11 percent in DA, there will be a significant increase in the salary of the state employees.