Significant announcements by Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai: 4% DA Increase, Arrear Disbursement, and More

Raipur
Chief Minister Vishnudeo Sai made five significant announcements on Friday for the benefit of officials, employees, and media personnel. These include granting a 4% Dearness Allowance (DA) to officials and employees at the seventh pay scale, with pensioners also benefiting. This DA will be effective from March 1, 2024. Additionally, the final installment of arrears for officials and employees at the seventh pay scale will also be disbursed.

The Chief Minister has also established a committee under the leadership of the Chief Secretary, Panchayat and Rural Development, Niharika Barik, to review and provide suggestions to the government regarding the resolution of employees’ issues. Relief has also been extended to Gram Panchayat Secretaries by deciding to compensate them for the 55-day strike period from their accrued leaves. This strike period will be adjusted within their accrued leave. These decisions will bring more joy to the families of employees during the festival of Holi.

Announcing an increase in the DA, the Chief Minister stated that the decision has been taken to raise the DA by 4% for the state’s employees at the seventh pay scale and by 4% in pensioner’s DA. This DA will be effective from March 1, 2024. Consequently, the DA rate will increase from 42% to 46% at the seventh pay scale and it will be 230% at the sixth pay scale. This decision will benefit 3.90 lakh state employees and 1.20 lakh pensioners. With this decision, the employees and pensioners of the state will receive a monthly benefit of Rs 68 crore and an annual benefit of Rs 816 crore.

The Chief Minister also announced the provision of the final installment of arrears for officials and employees at the seventh pay scale.

Taking sensitive decisions today, the Chief Minister also provided relief to Gram Panchayat Secretaries. The Gram Panchayat Secretaries were on strike from March 16, 2023, to May 9, 2023. The Chief Minister informed that the strike period of Gram Panchayat Secretaries will be adjusted within their accrued leaves, and they will be compensated for 55 days.

The Chief Minister addressed several complaints of harassment against journalists and media colleagues. “In this regard, we announce the formation of a committee under the chairmanship of the Home Secretary to provide justice to media persons,” he said. The Chief Minister further stated that journalists and other members will also be appointed to this committee.