Union minister Anurag Thakur on Friday (24th March 2023) announced that the government has increased the dearness allowance or DA for central government employees by 4 per cent to 42 per cent with effect from January 1, 2023.

* The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief will be ₹12,815.60 crore per annum, the information and broadcasting minister told reporters after the meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

* The release of the additional instalment of dearness allowance to employees and dearness relief to pensioners will be effective from January 01, 2023.

* This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

* The government has also extended the subsidy under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana for another year.

* In a major relief to Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana beneficiaries and to shield them from high LPG prices, the government approved a subsidy of ₹200 per 14.2 kg cylinder for up to 12 refills per year.

* The Cabinet has also given its approval for Minimum Support Price or MSP for raw jute for the 2023-24 season.

* The MSP of raw jute has been fixed at ₹5,050 per quintal. This would ensure a return of 63.20 per cent over the all-India weighted average cost of production...

Source : Hindustan Times