DA Hike Update- The state government makes a huge decision. The DMK government of Tamil Nadu has given a gift to the state government employees. CM MK Stalin has approved nine schemes including increase in dearness allowance (DA), surrender of earned leave. The CM announced these schemes in the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

Government announced schemes

2% hike in DA

Based on the central government’s decision to hike DA by 2 per cent from January 2025, the state government has increased DA for employees by two per cent. This will benefit about 16 lakh employees, including teachers, pensioners and family pensioners. This hike will cost the government an additional Rs 1,252 crore per year.

 Increase in advance for festival assistance

The existing festival advance of Rs.10,000 will now be increased to Rs.20,000 to help the government employees and teachers celebrate festivals with their families.

Earned leave surrender

Up to 15 days of earned leave can be surrendered for cash benefits starting October 1. About eight lakh government employees and teachers will benefit. The government will allocate an additional Rs 3,561 crore per year to implement this.

Education advance increased

The education advance for professional education will be increased to Rs.1,00,000 from this year in the higher education of children. It will be increased to Rs.50,000 for Arts, Science and Polytechnic.

Increase in Pongal festival bonus

The government has increased the Pongal festival bonus given annually to retired C & D category employees, individual pensioners and family pensioners from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000. This will benefit about 4.71 lakh pensioners and family pensioners. The government will incur an additional expenditure of Rs 24 crore.

Advance up to Rs.5 lakh for marriage

Till now female employees used to get Rs.10,000 and male employees used to get Rs.6,000 as advance for marriage. Now it will be increased to Rs.5,00,000 for all employees.

Increase in maternity leave

Maternity leave has been increased from nine months to one year from July 2021. Also, it will now be counted in the probation period. Till now this leave was not counted in the probation period, which affects the promotion and seniority of many young female employees.

 Increased festival advance of retired employees

The government has increased the advance given to pensioners to help them celebrate the festival from Rs 4,000 to Rs 6,000. This will benefit about 52,000 pensioners and the government will incur an additional expenditure of Rs 10 crore.

Committee to be formed for old pension scheme

A committee has been formed to do an in-depth study of the old pension scheme, contributory pension scheme and integrated pension scheme.