State Employees seek full disbursal of pending DA arrears

Shimla, Apr 18,

Tension is simmering among state government employees as confusion deepens over the disbursement of pending dearness allowance (DA) installments.

The employees, led by Himachal Pradesh Joint employees federation, have demanded the immediate release of 13% DA arrears, accusing the state government of disrupting the approved sequence of installments.

Till June 2023, the state government had released only 42% of the total DA installments due. However, as per the centrally approved sequence, further DA installments are due at 4% from July 2023, another 4% from January 2024, 3% from July 2024, and 2% from January 2025—making a cumulative pending amount of 13%.

Contrary to the scheduled order, the state has announced a mere 3% DA hike. This move has triggered unrest among employees who argue that it skips the two prior 4% installments. According to the federation, such deviation from the “karma” or approved order violates central norms and reduces transparency in DA disbursement.

“Either the 4% installment due from July 2023 should be released first, or the government must release all three pending installments—4%, 4%, and 3%—which total 11%, before moving to the 2% installment from January 2025,” said a federation spokesperson. “The selective release of just 3% is misleading and unjustified.”

The employees are urging the state government to honor the timeline set by the Central Government and disburse the 13% DA arrears in full. The federation has hinted at intensifying its agitation if the demands are not met promptly.

Team Himachal Scape