DA Hike update: Double celebration on Diwali as along with GST reform, Modi government may announce hike in…

New Delhi: This time on Diwali, the central government can bring a big gift for its employees and pensioners. While on the one hand, preparations are going on to receive increased dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief, on the other hand, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has talked about implementing GST reforms before Diwali. Its benefit will be directly available to the general public, traders and government employees.

From which date will the new DA be implemented?

In March 2025, the Union Cabinet approved a 2% DA / DR hike for more than 48 lakh central government employees and more than 66 lakh pensioners, which came into effect from January 2025. Now, employees and pensioners are getting DA and DR at the rate of 55%. According to the 7th Pay Commission, the minimum base salary of central government employees is Rs 18,000, and the minimum pension of pensioners is Rs 9,000. With 55% DA, an employee is getting a total of Rs 27,900, and a pensioner is getting Rs 13,950.

How many times is the DA increased in a year?

Every year, the government increases DA twice, once in January and the other in July. Now the next hike for July 2025 is expected to be announced in September. According to media reports, this time the DA may increase by 3%. If this happens, DA will become 58% and it can be implemented around Diwali.

PM Modi has already announced the GST reform before Diwali

Prime Minister Modi has recently asked the state governments to cooperate with the central government in implementing the proposed GST reforms. He also said that these reforms will be implemented before Diwali and the poor, middle class, and small and big traders will get its benefit. The PM said, “We consider reforms a symbol of good governance. We aim to make life and business easier. That is why we are bringing next-generation reforms under GST. These reforms will prove to be a double bonus for the people this Diwali.”

The 8th Pay Commission is also on the way

In January 2025, the Central Government approved the 8th Pay Commission, but its official notification is yet to come. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said in Parliament that the notification will be issued on time. This means that in future, more improvements can be seen in the salary and pension of the employees.

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