Jammu and Kashmir Announces Revised Dearness Allowance Rates for Government Employees
The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a new order announcing a revision in the rates of Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees. The new rates, which came into effect on January 1, 2024, represent a significant increase for employees.
Key Points of the Order
- The Dearness Allowance for government employees working under the 7th Pay Commission recommendations has been increased from 46% of basic pay to 50% of basic pay.
- The arrears for the additional installment of Dearness Allowance from January 2024 to April 2024 will be paid in cash in May 2024. The revised DA will also be reflected in the monthly salary from May 2024 onwards.
- The order clarifies that “Basic Pay” in the revised pay structure refers to the pay drawn in the prescribed level in the Pay Matrix as per 7th Pay Commission recommendations, excluding any other type of pay like special pay.
- The order also states that the payment of Dearness Allowance will be rounded to the nearest rupee. Any fraction of 50 paise or less will be ignored, and any fraction above 50 paise will be rounded up to the next rupee.
Positive Impact for Employees
The increase in Dearness Allowance is a welcome development for government employees in Jammu and Kashmir. It will result in a much-needed boost to their income and help offset the rising cost of living.
This announcement comes after the Central government increased the dearness allowance (DA) and dearness relief (DR) by 4% in March 2024. The hike in DA for Jammu and Kashmir government employees is likely to be followed by similar announcements from other states in the near future.
