7th Pay Commission DA hike announcement update: Buzz around expected cabinet meeting

Anticipation as well as buzz is increasing around the next round of Dearness Allowance (DA) for lakhs of central government employees. A 4 percent DA hike is believed to be provided this time by the Centre under the 7th Pay Commission rules. The DA hike could be announced at any time. Latest reports claim that the announcement could come as early as Wednesday.

While an official update is still to be made, reports have suggested that the central government may conduct a crucial meeting tomorrow (March 22) which may be followed by the DA hike announcement. Wednesday is also the first day of Chaitra Navratri, the auspicious 9-day fasting festival.

Central government employees will be hoping that the buzz around the cabinet meeting is true. A 4 percent hike in DA will take the figure to 42 percent from the current 38 percent. If the eventual announcement is 4 percent, the first hike of 2023 will be similar to the second hike of last year and a percent more than the January 2022 hike. 

DA hike proves significant for central government employees in the face of inflation. Earlier, reports had suggested that the DA hike may be announced around Holi, which was on March 8. Reports had then suggested that the announcement may come on March 20. But the Centre is now likely to make the announcement after a crucial cabinet meeting on Wednesday, according to a Zee Business report. 

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