Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state government was considering releasing an instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) on Diwali, according to a PTI report dated October 14.
Sukhu made the statement at a public meeting in Kaza during his two-day visit to Spiti Valley. While emphasising that his government was paying special attention to people living in cold desert regions, he said the state government was working towards doubling the income of Spiti residents.
The chief minister did not specify the DA hike percentage, the number of instalments under consideration or the date on which the allowance could be released.
DA is paid to government employees to compensate for the impact of inflation on their purchasing power. It is calculated as a percentage of basic pay and revised periodically.
Any increase in DA raises the salary component linked to the allowance, with the actual benefit depending on an employee’s basic pay and the revised rate.
What government employees should know
The proposed DA instalment is relevant to Himachal Pradesh government employees who receive the allowance as part of their salary. If the government approves a revision, the impact on monthly earnings would depend on the employee’s basic pay and the percentage-point increase in DA.
Sukhu’s statement did not clarify whether the proposed instalment would include arrears or specify the period from which any revision would take effect.
Other announcements during Sukhu’s Spiti visit
Alongside the DA statement, Sukhu announced several development measures for Spiti Valley and the surrounding tribal region.
- ₹500 crore for Spiti’s development: The chief minister said the government would spend Rs 500 crore on the region’s development in the coming years.
- Kunzum Pass tunnel: A survey and a detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared for a tunnel beneath Kunzum Pass to improve year-round road connectivity between the Lahaul and Spiti valleys.
- Heliport in Kaza: The government would conduct a survey for a heliport to promote tourism and benefit local residents.
- Power infrastructure: The Sumdo-Kaza transmission line is targeted for completion within three years, at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore.
- Natural farming: Sukhu said Spiti Valley would be declared a natural farming area.
- Healthcare and education: The government would explore the possibility of opening a college in Kaza and appoint gynaecologists and medicine specialists there.
The chief minister also referred to healthcare spending under the Ayushman Bharat scheme. He said Himachal Pradesh’s share under the scheme for 2023-27 amounted to nearly ₹26 crore, while the state’s expenditure exceeded this by approximately ₹204 crore.
Separately, Sukhu said the share of sanctioned staff positions filled in the state’s medical colleges and other healthcare institutions had risen from 35% during the previous BJP government’s tenure to 70% under the present government.
-With PTI inputs