Disappointment and frustration have hit government employees hard as they received the heartbreaking news that there would be no increase in Dearness Allowance (DA). Despite continuous protests and movements demanding an increase in DA, the government has made it clear that it will not happen. The mood among the employees is tense, with some planning to participate in a virtual agitation and others planning to withhold work assigned to them in groups.
The central government has been undecided for months on whether to give the DA for January, July, and January 2021. The impact of various public welfare projects across the country has taken a toll on the country's revenue treasury, prompting the government's decision not to pay DA to central government employees and pensioners. To add to the misery, the central government had announced a DA hike during Holi, only to retract it later.
The Narendra Modi-led cabinet is scheduled to meet today to discuss the issue of DA increase. While the employees are hopeful of a four percent increase in DA, they are still reeling from the eleven percent hike in July 2021, which was a shock to their financial planning. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister echoes the central government's sentiments, citing various public welfare projects in the state and a lack of funds from the center. However, the state government employees refuse to back down, insisting that they deserve their rightful pay.
It's a delicate situation, and the government will have to tread carefully to strike a balance between public welfare and employee welfare. The voices of the employees cannot be ignored, and it's up to the government to find a way to address their concerns.
