Tamil Nadu hikes DA for state govt employees, teachers to 42%

The Tamil Nadu government has announced an increase in dearness allowance (DA) for its employees, including teachers, pensioners, and family pensioners. The DA has been raised from 38% to 42%, same as that for central government employees, and the revision will be implemented retroactively from April 1. This decision was made in response to the persistent requests from government staff and teachers, and it will benefit approximately 16 lakh individuals in the state.

According to an official release, Chief Minister M K Stalin has directed the implementation of the DA hike, acknowledging the valuable contribution of government staff and teachers. The government recognizes their dedicated efforts in delivering welfare programs to the people, and it remains committed to safeguarding their interests. Despite facing significant financial challenges, such as the inherited debt burden and the impact of the Covid pandemic on revenue, the government has been striving to fulfill its promises to address the demands of government staff and teachers.

The increase in DA will lead to an additional annual expenditure of Rs 2,367 crore. The release also stated that in the future, whenever the Union government announces a DA hike, the state government will promptly follow suit and announce the corresponding hike for its employees, considering the persistent demand from government staff and teachers.