Central government employees have been looking forward to the resolution of the pending 18 months of DA arrears. This recent update has rekindled hopes as negotiations for the payment have gained momentum. The pending DA arises from January 2020 to June 2021, during which the government had suspended payment of this allowance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why Were The DA Arrears Frozen?
The lockdowns, with consequent impact on the economy, froze the DA hikes, to enable better management of financial resources in the view of the pandemic. Consequently, this affected over 47 lakh central government employees and 68 lakh pensioners. The DA was, however, restored subsequently and increased, while the dues for 18 months remained unpaid.
Government’s Stand On DA Arrears
The government is mindful of the demands posed by employees but has yet to specify when the arrears are to be cleared. Different unions of employees have persistently raised the issue, trying to get it resolved. As has been reported, the government is weighing various factors, including the aspect of finances, before arriving at a decision.
It is also being reported that a single-wave settlement or payment on installment basis might be looked into so as to alleviate the financial burden while at the same time clearing employees’ concerns.
How Much DA Arrears Can Employees Expect?
DA arrears shall depend on the respective basic salaries of each employee and DA rates falling during the 18-month period. Employees with higher basic could expect DA arrears between ₹30,000 and ₹2,00,000 or even more. The pensioners must also be induced by any good decision in respect of the DA arrears.
Employee Reactions And Union Demands
Employees’ unions stress the immediate payment of the DA by citing inflation and the rising cost of living. The unions argue that since the government has boasted about good fiscal health, the DA must be settled without any further delay. Big voices have called upon protests and conventions to expedite the process of decision-making.
Conclusion
While the government has not yet pronounced the specific date for DA arrears payment, employees remain hopeful for a good announcement. Central employees and pensioners are advised to keep a close eye on official notifications for any updates. In the meantime, employee associations will continue demanding timely payment of their dues.
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