Over 7.5 lakh government employees in Madhya Pradesh will receive the first installment of their Dearness Allowance (DA) arrears before Rakshabandhan on August 19, 2024. The distribution process has already begun. In March 2024, the government had granted a 4% DA increase to employees, effective from July 1, 2023, just before the general elections. The finance department had announced that the eight-month arrears of DA would be paid in three installments.
Schedule of DA Arrears Payment
The arrears amount from July 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024, will be paid in three equal installments in July, August, and September 2024. On July 23, 2024, government orders directed the completion of formalities, referring to the compliance of a finance letter dated March 14, 2024.
Employee Concerns and Government Response
Uma Shankar Tiwari, the state secretary of the Tritya Varg Karamchari Sangh, stated that while the government has issued orders for the arrears of the DA increased in February 2024, there has been no announcement regarding the pending 4% DA and dearness relief from January 2024. This omission has caused discontent among state employees. The employees demand that the government issue orders to release the 4% DA and dearness relief from January 2024, enabling them to celebrate Rakshabandhan happily.
Additional Benefits for Ladli Behna Beneficiaries
In addition to the DA arrears, the government has decided to transfer Rs 250 into the accounts of Ladli Behna beneficiaries in the month of Shravan, supplementing the Rs 1250 deposited every month. On July 23, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav highlighted the cultural significance of the month of Shravan in Indian tradition. Consequently, Rs 250 will be transferred to each Ladli Behna account. The Chief Minister also encouraged ministers to celebrate Rakhi with Ladli Behnas (women beneficiaries) in their respective areas.
