Dearness Allowance from January 2013 – 6th CPC Recommendations on merger of 50% Dearness Allowance

As of now nobody knows the correct reason why the government is delaying the approval of DA hike from January 2013. Actually the delay in announcing the dearness allowance helps the people speculate more about the Governments Plan about whether the 50% DA will be merged or not.

As per the 6CPC recommendation accepted by the government, the Dearness Allowance supposed to be enhanced from 1st January of every year has to be paid with salary of month of March. The 6 CPC was very much clear about two things; first one is the formula for calculating the quantum of DA to be paid to central government employees and its frequency. Second one is on Merger of 50% Dearness allowance with Basic pay by converting it as dearness Pay

4.1.18 . This conversion, however, is not necessary in the revised structure being recommended where increments are payable as a percentage of the pay in the pay band and grade pay thereon and provision has been made for all allowances/benefits to be revised periodically linked to the increase in the price index. The Commission is, therefore, not recommending merger of dearness allowance with basic pay at any stage.

4.1.19.  No real justification exists for revising DA once in 3 months. Accordingly, DA may continue to be sanctioned twice a year as on 1st January and 1st July payable with the salary of March and September respectively for administrative convenience with inflation neutralization being maintained at 100% at all levels.

As it was the recommendation of 6CPC , even after the seventh day of the month of April, the quantum of DA to be increased is yet to be declared by the government is quite new for central government employees. But it is evident that ‘announcement of DA hike can be delayed, but Payment of increased Dearness Allowance cannot be denied’.