DA Hike: The Andhra Pradesh state government has shared some great news for government employees, teachers, and pensioners. They have approved two installments of dearness allowance (DA) that the workforce has eagerly awaited. The AP Finance Department has officially issued the orders regarding this. The government will provide a 2.73 percent DA effective from July 1, 2024, and an additional 1.82 percent DA starting January 1, 2025. This means that the total DA for employees will rise by 4.55 percent. The Finance Department has instructed that the increased DA be included in the salary for September.
Additionally, the government will pay 20 months of arrears related to the 1.82 percent DA, which will take effect from January 1, 2025. These arrears will be disbursed in installments during January, March, May, and July 2028. Meanwhile, 26 months of arrears for the 2.73 percent DA, effective from July 1, 2024, will be paid in April, June, August, and October 2027. In a directive, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department, Piyush Kumar, mentioned that pensioners will also receive DA arrears following the same schedule.
With the simultaneous approval of two DA installments, countless employees, teachers, pensioners, contractual staff, and local body employees throughout the state will experience financial benefits. Leaders from employee unions and pensioners’ associations are celebrating the government’s decision to release DA arrears, especially in light of the rising costs of essential goods. The increase in DA will also lead to adjustments in monthly salaries and pensions, providing some financial relief to the working class.
This DA hike will be applicable to employees working in various departments under the state government. The increased DA will also be applicable to employees of local bodies like Zilla Parishad, Mandal Parishad, Gram Panchayats, Municipalities, Municipal Corporations etc. With this, this decision will also benefit the employees working under local bodies.
Similarly, the Finance Department has clarified that this DA hike will also be applicable to teaching and non-teaching staff working in aided educational institutions. Teaching and non-teaching staff working in various universities in the state will also get the benefit as per the latest orders. With a total DA hike of 4.55 percent and the government announcing a schedule for payment of arrears, employees, teachers and pensioners will get financial relief.