The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a 5% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees ahead of Diwali. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced the decision on Friday, stating that the revision would benefit approximately 2.75 lakh government employees and pensioners.
In addition to the DA increase, Class IV employees will receive ₹10,000 in pay revision arrears. According to the announcement, this amount will be transferred directly to their bank accounts on November 1.
DA Increased by 5% Ahead of Diwali
The announced increase combines a fresh 4% DA instalment for the current year with an additional 1% outstanding allowance from the previous year. Together, these changes amount to a total increase of 5%.
The decision is intended to provide additional financial support to state government employees and pensioners ahead of the festive season. Class IV employees will receive the additional ₹10,000 payment alongside the benefits applicable under the DA revision.
The announcement covers approximately 2.75 lakh employees and pensioners across Himachal Pradesh.
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Explains the Government’s Decision
While announcing the increase, Chief Minister Sukhu also discussed the state’s financial position and the steps being taken to maintain fiscal discipline.
He said the government was taking measures to control expenditure and manage its finances. He acknowledged that some of these measures could affect different sections of society and emphasised the importance of collective efforts to improve the state’s financial situation.
The DA revision and the additional arrears payment come as the government continues to address its financial commitments.
Himachal Pradesh’s Total Debt Stands at Around ₹99,000 Crore
Chief Minister Sukhu rejected claims that Himachal Pradesh’s total debt had crossed ₹1.20 lakh crore. He stated that the state’s debt currently stood at approximately ₹99,000 crore.
The Chief Minister also referred to the financial pressure created by the discontinuation of the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG). He said the state government was taking interest-free loans to meet its financial requirements.
Despite these challenges, Sukhu expressed confidence that Himachal Pradesh would become self-reliant in the health and education sectors by 2030.
When Will Employees Receive the ₹10,000 Arrears?
According to the announcement, eligible Class IV employees will receive ₹10,000 in pay revision arrears directly in their bank accounts on November 1. The payment will be provided in addition to the announced DA increase.
Employees and pensioners should refer to official state government notifications for the applicable payment conditions and further implementation details.
Disclaimer
This article is intended for general informational purposes only and is based on the announcement details provided. The DA revision, arrears payment and related eligibility conditions should be verified through official Himachal Pradesh government notifications. Actual payment amounts and dates may depend on applicable government orders and individual eligibility.