To woe employees in wake of SMC poll, Cong Govt issues memo to enhance DA

Shimla, Apr 27 – Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu facing the first litmus test after taking charge of new government in Himachal Pradesh today issued an office memorandum to enhance the employees Dearness allowance by three percent by pegging the existing rate from 31 per cent to 34 pc.
A press communication of OM copy of which is with us states that it grant of DA to all employees and officers of the State with effect from Jan, 1 2022. The DA would be distribursed at the rate of three per cent from the existing rate of 31 pc to 34 pc with effect from 01.01.2022 to all employees and officers of the State Government .
This order would also be applicable to the officers of All India Services, HP Judicial Services officers and the State Government employees covered by the UGC pay scales . This additional Dearness Allowance should be paid in cash with the salary of April, 2023 payable in May, 2023 and the arrears accrued from 01.01.2022 to 31.03.2023 be credited in the GPF Accounts of the employees with the salary of May, 2023 payable in June , 2023.
The interest on this account should accrue w.e.f. 1st June, 2023. The arrears would be paid in cash in case of the Government employees who have retired in between or who have closed GPF Accounts. The arrears of DA to the employees governed under NPS shall be credited in their GPF accounts. Other terms and conditions as contained in OM of even number dated 3rd January, 2022 shall continue to be applicable.
The payment on account of DA involving fraction of 50 paisa and above may be rounded off to the next higher rupee and the fraction of less than 50 paisa may be ignored. OM could be visited on www.himachal.gov.in/finance/.
It is worthwhile to mentioned here that Chief Minister made the announcement of releasing DA in the Himachal Day function on April 15 ,2023 at Kaza after the issuing of notification for Shimla MC Poll. There are about two lakh regular government employees and 1.5 lakh outsource and ad-hoc employees. It is worthwhile to mentioned here that Congress party steer to power swaying on the employees votes as it had made promise to provide Old Pension system in the Vidhan Sabha election. Employees and pensioner happen to be the maximum numbers of voters therefore this order could be seen as attempt to woe the voters in wake of Shimla MC poll which could be termed first test of Sukhvinder Singh Sukh Government after assuming power in the state