Kerala DA Hiked, Salaries to Climb: Government Unveils 10% Allowance Hike

DA Hike News: While central staff await the 8th Pay Commission, this state government announced a 10% DA hike, raising it from 25% to 35% of basic pay for its employees.

Beneficiaries of this DA hike include local body staff, teachers and non-teaching staff of aided schools, colleges, and polytechnics, as well as full-time contingent employees.

The increased DA will be reflected in the March salary. Overall, temporary teachers, temporary contingent staff, and re-employed pensioners will benefit from this decision.

Along with the DA hike, the government has approved a 10% dearness relief for state service pensioners, family pensioners, and ex-gratia recipients. This will be paid with their April pension. 

The state government also stated that a separate order will be issued for the payment of arrears due to the DA and DR increase. For local bodies, the institutions will bear the cost.

This decision also outlines rules for PSUs, statutory corporations, autonomous bodies, boards, and grant-in-aid institutions that follow the state's DA and DR pattern. 

These organizations can apply the DA and DR depending on their financial condition. If an entity cannot bear the extra cost, it must get prior approval from the state government.

Institutions over 90% funded by government grants can issue revised DA/DR after their governing body's approval, without separate government clearance. 

However, this government order will not apply to the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). Separate orders will be issued.

The Kerala government announced a 10% DA hike for its employees, raising it from 25% to 35%. While others wait or fight in court, this state has set a new precedent.