DA arrear: The discussion on the pending payment of 18 months of dearness allowance and dearness relief, which was stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic, has once again intensified. This issue was raised strongly in the meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Council (JCM).
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DA Arrear of Covid-19 Pandemic: Discussion has once again intensified regarding the payment of 18 months of Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) which were stopped during the Covid-19 pandemic. Recently, this issue was raised strongly in the 63rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Council (JCM).
Old pain raised again in the meeting
In this meeting held at the Civil Service Officers Institute (CSOI) located on K.G. Marg in Delhi, central government employees and pensioners again raised the demand for 18 months’ DA/DR arrears, which was stopped during the time of Covid. Many important issues were discussed in this meeting chaired by the Secretary, in which senior leaders like Shivgopal Mishra and M. Raghavaiya were present on behalf of the employees.
Employee side reiterated old demand
In the meeting, the employee side said in clear words that the DA/DR from March 2020 to June 2021 which was stopped due to the pandemic should now be returned. They argued that despite the lockdown and difficult conditions, the employees and pensioners fulfilled their responsibility towards the country and worked with a spirit of service, so they are entitled to this relief.
The government’s stance is still tough
But the Finance Ministry reiterated its old stance. The ministry said that the country’s economic condition was deeply affected due to the Kovid-19 epidemic. The financial pressure of many welfare schemes run by the government continued even after 2020-21. In such a situation, there is no scope for payment of arrears of DA and DR at present.
8th Pay Commission was also discussed
The formation process and terms of the 8th Pay Commission were also discussed in the meeting. The employee side demanded that the government should appoint the chairman and other members of the commission as soon as possible and issue the Terms of Reference (ToR). The government said that the notification for the appointment of some members has been issued and the rest of the process is going on. The employees hope that the recommendations of the commission will be implemented from January 1, 2026 and if there is a delay in it, then the payment should be made along with the arrears.
Insurance scheme proposal also came
Another important issue in the meeting was – Insurance Scheme for Central Employees (CGEGIS). The Department of Expenditure informed that a new proposal has been prepared for this scheme and it will soon be shared with the employee side.
Resentment over DA arrears persists
Although many issues were discussed in the meeting, the resentment over DA/DR arrears of 18 months came to the fore the most. Employees’ organizations say that the government should once again adopt a human approach in this matter and return the amount that the employees had honestly earned in return for their service.
Is there any hope left in the future?
At present, no concrete assurance has been received from the government in this direction, but the hopes of the employees and pensioners are still alive. They believe that if the government wants, this issue can be resolved. Their biggest hope now is that this should be taken into consideration in the next big announcement or budget.
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