18-Month DA Arrears Approved – After a long wait, there’s finally some great news for central government employees and pensioners. The government has now approved the release of the long-pending 18-month Dearness Allowance arrears. This decision is expected to bring a good financial boost to millions of employees and retirees who have been waiting for this update for quite some time.
What’s the Story Behind These Arrears?
Let’s rewind a bit. Back in early 2020, the government had frozen the DA due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the economy. The freeze period lasted from January 2020 to June 2021, during which employees continued working without getting the updated DA benefits. While DA hikes resumed after June 2021, the arrears from those 18 months were left pending.
Ever since then, employee unions across the country have been requesting the release of these arrears. Various rounds of meetings and appeals were made to the finance ministry. Finally, their consistent efforts have paid off.
Who Will Benefit?
This move is expected to benefit more than 50 lakh central government employees and over 65 lakh pensioners. That means nearly 1.15 crore individuals will receive a boost in their income this month. The decision covers all eligible individuals who were employed during the DA freeze period and will include retired employees as well.
How Much Money Are We Talking About?
The actual amount that one receives will depend on several factors – your pay level, grade pay, and basic salary. For example, someone with a basic pay of around eighteen thousand rupees can expect arrears in the range of eleven thousand to fifteen thousand rupees. On the other hand, officers with higher pay grades might receive arrears that go above forty thousand rupees.
Keep in mind that the DA rates varied during those 18 months. So, the final figure will be a cumulative amount based on the DA percentage applicable in each month of the freeze period. Departments are now working on final calculations.
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When Will the Payment Happen?
The finance ministry has already issued instructions to all departments to begin calculating and disbursing the arrears as soon as possible. Most employees and pensioners can expect the payment to reflect in their salary or pension statements for this month. However, the actual date may differ depending on your department’s pace of processing.
One-Time or Installments?
Here’s something important. Not everyone might receive the full amount in one go. Some departments may choose to release the arrears in one single payment, while others might split it into two or three installments. The payment method will vary from department to department, and individuals will be notified about the breakup soon.
Why This Matters So Much
For a long time, unions like the National Council of JCM have been highlighting how the DA freeze impacted lower and middle-income employees the most. With rising living costs, inflation, and growing household expenses, not receiving the rightful dues for over a year and a half felt like a setback to many.
Now that the government has agreed to release the pending DA arrears, it is being seen as a major win for employee unions. It’s also a move towards restoring faith and fairness in the system. This decision comes as a much-needed relief when inflation is still putting pressure on regular households.
What Should Employees Do Now?
If you’re a central government employee or a pensioner, keep an eye on official communication from your department. You’ll receive detailed information about the arrears, including the total amount, payment structure, and timeline. Also, watch out for your salary slip or pension statement this month – that’s where the updated figures will show up.
In case you don’t receive the arrears this month, don’t panic. Some departments might take a little more time due to calculation and approval procedures. If needed, you can reach out to your office administration or accounts department for updates.
This release of 18 months’ worth of pending DA arrears is more than just a financial update. It’s a recognition of the efforts, patience, and dedication of lakhs of government workers and pensioners who continued serving the country during a very tough time.
For many households, this extra money will help cover expenses, repay debts, or simply provide some breathing room in the monthly budget. It’s a much-needed break that feels well-deserved.
So, check your statements and keep an eye out for that extra amount coming your way. This month just got better.
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