Assam: Employees demand release of Dearness Allowance within December 2023

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The All Assam Heads of the Department Ministerial Officers’ Association have expressed concern over the Cabinet decision where the state government employees will receive 4 per cent of Dearness Allowance (DA) in two installments.

The Assam Cabinet on November 7 took decision on the Additional DA for the state government employees. According to the decision, state government employees will receive a 4 per cent additional Dearness Allowance (DA) with effect from December 1, 2023. Arrears DA, effective from July 2023 to November 2023, will be paid in two equal installments. The first installment of 50 percent arrears DA will be paid in December, while the remaining 50 per cent will be paid in April 2024.

Thus, with this, the total DA of state government employees now stands at 4 per cent.

The Association President Gunaram Gogoi said, “The state government employees play a very important role in the effective implementation of the state government’s various schemes and programmes. Therefore, employees are an integral part of the government. But still, state employees are still deprived of various facilities. We do not accept the Cabinet decision that 4 percent additional Dearness Allowance (DA) in two installments According to our executive body, the government’s decision to give the DA in two installments speaks to the plight of the state’s economy. Therefore, we urged the CM to review and reconsider the matter and also request to release the DA all together in December 2023.”

Sadou Asom Karmachari Parishad (SAKP) also expresses discontent over the Cabinet’s decision regarding the 4 per cent DA in two installments as it does not work in favour of the state government employees.

President of SAKP, Dwipen Sarma, said, “The decision regarding the release of the DA in two installments has saddened us. During the previous government, the employees had to indulge in protests in demand of their salaries, and DA and our Parishad did not want to rewind the unfortunate situation. Because of the price rise, the employees had to suffer, and the employees must receive the DA timely, which is a right. And to release the DA to employees on time is a matter of pride for the state government. So, we urge the CM to look into the matter, reconsider it, and request to release the DA all together in December 2023.”

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