Growing Restlessness Among Central Government Staff and Pensioners Over DA Hike Delay

Millions of central government employees and pensioners are feeling a growing sense of frustration as the wait for the announcement of the Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) hike continues The decision, which was anticipated in September, has been unexpectedly delayed, causing significant discontent among those eagerly awaiting the financial relief it provides.Typically, the government revises the DA and DR twice a year to offset the impact of inflation. The second installment for 2025, effective from July 1st, is usually announced in the last week of September, with the arrears for the preceding months paid out in early October.However, with September drawing to a close and no announcement in sight, the delay has become a major point of concern.In response to the growing unease, the Confederation of Central Government Employees & Workers has stepped in, formally reaching out to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.In a letter, the confederation highlighted the "severe discontent" among employees and pensioners and urged for her immediate intervention to ensure the timely release of the DA/DR installment. The timing is particularly crucial as many rely on this financial boost to manage expenses during the upcoming festive season.While there has been no official statement explaining the delay, employees and pensioners remain hopeful for a positive outcome soon. The expectation is a hike of around 3% to 6%, which would provide a much-needed cushion against the rising cost of living. This revision is set to be the last one under the 7th Pay Commission, adding to the anticipation surrounding the announcement. As the wait gets longer, all eyes are on the Finance Ministry for a decision that will impact the finances of over a crore central government employees and pensioners across the country.