Ahead of Onam, Kerala Govt sanctions one instalment of DA and DR to employees, pensioners
In July 2024, the Chief Minister had informed the State Legislative Assembly that seven instalments of DA/DR were in arrears.
In July 2024, the Chief Minister had informed the State Legislative Assembly that seven instalments of DA/DR were in arrears.
In July 2024, the Chief Minister had informed the State Legislative Assembly that seven instalments of DA/DR were in arrears.
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has sanctioned another instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) for state employees and teachers, along with one instalment of Dearness Relief (DR) for service pensioners. Employees under the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and Medical Services will also be eligible for the benefit.
The instalment will be disbursed with the salary and pension payable from September 1 onwards.
This instalment forms part of the arrears due from July 1, 2022. However, the government order has not specified the exact period to which the dues belong, as was the case with previous orders. With this lack of clarity, the pending DA arrears of 37 months since July 2022 are unlikely to be settled this time as well.
The Finance Department issued the press release announcing the DA allotment immediately after the Kerala High Court had directed the government to file an affidavit regarding follow-up action on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s assurance in the Assembly. The CM had earlier promised that four DA instalments would be released over the last year and the current one.
In July 2024, the Chief Minister had informed the State Legislative Assembly that seven instalments of DA/DR were in arrears. He had announced that the government would clear two instalments each year for employees and pensioners.
The High Court considered petitions filed by, among others, N Mahesh, Section Officer at Mahatma Gandhi University and State President of the Federation of All Kerala University Employees Organisations. The petitions were heard by Justice AA Siyad Rahman.
On September 22, the court will consider a plea demanding the release of at least 25% of the revised DA for university employees.
Outstanding arrears at 17%
With the fresh allotment of 3%, the DA for employees will rise to 18%. Out of the eligible DA of 35%, 17% still remains pending.
Break-up of DA arrears
- 2023 January 1 – 4%
- 2023 July 1 – 3%
- 2024 January 1 – 3%
- 2024 July 1 – 3%
- 2025 January 1 – 2%
- 2025 July 1 – 2%