Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given his approval to the proposed three per cent hike in the dearness allowance (DA) for the state-government employees and pensioners. The same was officially announced by the Government of Odisha today, 19 September, 2022.
State government employees in Odisha as well as pensioners will now receive 34 per cent DA, with effect from 1 January, 2022.
This increment will benefit about four lakh government staff and about 3.5 lakh pensioners.
Odisha is not the first state to increase DA for its government staff. Madhya Pradesh government workers ?about 7.5 lakh in number ? received a DA hike in August 2022. Post the increment, their DA is 34 per cent instead of the earlier 31 per cent. Pensioners will also benefit from this hike. This increment would reportedly increase the burden on the state exchequer by Rs 625 crore.
In December last year, Tamil Nadu had announced an increment in DA from 17 to 31 per cent, for the state government employees and pensioners. This had led to to an additional annual expenditure of Rs 8,724 crores for the state government.
Odisha government has been in the news for other reasons too. Last week, contractual staff of the Odisha government demonstrated seeking the complete abolition of the contractual appointment system in the departments of the state government.
The protestors comprised welfare extension officers and teachers as well who protested despite the heavy rainfall. The protest was held under the aegis of the Odisha Government Contractual Employees Association.
