Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government on Friday announced that the dearness allowance for state government employees, local bodies, teachers and employees of schools, colleges and technical institutes will be raised from 25 to 35 per cent.
Full-time unit employees will also get a similar increase, with the enhanced bonuses paid alongside their March salary, according to a government order.
The amended law will also apply to part-time teachers, part-time temporary employees and rehired retirees, based on their salaries, the order said.
A similar increase was approved for Dearness Relief for state, family, ex gratia, and ex gratia family service. The enhanced amounts will be disbursed with the April pension.
A separate order will be issued on DA and DR arrears, she added.
The order added that any additional expenditure arising from increased DA and DR shall be met by local bodies from their own funds.
Employees and pensioners of State Public Sector Undertakings, Statutory Corporations, Autonomous Bodies, Boards and Grant-in-Aid Institutions following State DA and DR pattern are also eligible, subject to conditions.
These organizations may release increased DA and DR upon decision of their Board of Directors, Board of Directors, Administrative Committee, or Executive Committee, depending on their ability to meet the expenditures from their own resources.
“If the organization cannot meet these expenses on its own, prior approval must be obtained from the government,” the order said.
Organizations in which more than 90 percent of payroll or pension costs are funded by plan or non-plan government grants may issue DA and DR without prior government approval, but with the approval of their board of directors.
The order clarified that the increase does not apply to the Kerala State Electricity Board and the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, which will issue separate DA and DR orders.
“Such organizations should follow existing practices, including obtaining prior government approval, if any, with penalties for DA and DR of employees and pensioners,” it said.
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