After Assam and Meghalaya, on the eve of Diwali, the Tripura government on Wednesday announced 5 per cent Dearness Allowance (DA) and dearness relief to 1,88,000 employees and pension holders.
Making the announcement Food and Civil Supplies and Transport Minister Sushanta Chowdhury highlighted the government's commitment to supporting its employees even during the ongoing challenging times.
The DA and the DR would be effective from November 1, 2024.
The Tripura government announced the DA and DR just on the eve of the Diwali festival increment to alleviate the financial burden on employees and pensioners.
“In the face of adversity, our government has consistently prioritised the well-being of our workforce. This decision will result in an additional expenditure of Rs 500 crore from the government,” Chowdhury, who is also the spokesman of the state government, told the media after the cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Manik Saha.
Finance Department officials said that over 1.6 lakh government employees and 82,000 pensioners would be benefited from the decision.
The official said that after coming into power in March 2018, the BJP government revised the pay scales, with effect from October 1, 2018, based on the 7th Central Pay Commission recommendations.
Thereafter, the state government released additional DA and DR several times to its employees and pensioners.
State government employees and pensioners had long been demanding from the state government that their DA and DR be equal to that of Central government employees and pensioners.
The Assam and Meghalaya governments also earlier this week announced DA and DR three per cent each (by the state governments) for their employees and pension holders.
Meanwhile, the Tripura Chief Minister also on Wednesday increased various allowances for the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) personnel benefiting around 14,000 jawans of 14 battalions of the force.
The allowances increased include ration money and uniform allowance.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the home portfolio, announced to provide funds for setting up gymnasiums in all the battalions and improving the infrastructures of the TSR posts across the state.
Border guards of India, B'desh exchange sweets on Diwali
On the occasion of Diwali, sweets were exchanged on Thursday between the troops of Border Security Force (BSF) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), all along the border with Bangladesh, officials said.
PM Modi continues Diwali tradition, celebrates with soldiers in Gujarat's Kutch
Continuing his tradition of spending Diwali with the armed forces and other security forces on the borders, Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrated the festival of lights on Thursday with personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force in the Sir Creek area of Gujarat's Kutch.
Indian, Chinese troops exchange sweets at LAC in Ladakh on Diwali
This comes after India and China undertook the disengagement process at the LAC in the union territory. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said during an event in Arunachal Pradesh that the process was near completion.
Former BJP MLA Brahm Singh Tanwar joins AAP ahead of Delhi Assembly polls
In a significant setback for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, three-time MLA Brahm Singh Tanwar joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Thursday.
Everybody must accept reality that J&K is Union Territory: Lt Governor
In an obvious reference to NC leaders, including Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Cabinet ministers, Sinha said: "It was unfortunate that those who took oath under the Indian Constitution are opposing UT status of J&K. This reflects their dual character."
Diwali affirms ideals that inspire Australians: Anthony Albanese
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday called Diwali an "extraordinarily beautiful celebration of faith and culture" that inspires Australians from all walks of life.
Mumbai Congress receives jolt as veteran Ravi Raja joins BJP
A veteran Congress leader, Ravi Raja along with his supporters on Thursday joined the BJP in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and the party's Mumbai unit chief Ashish Shelar.
UP CM celebrates Diwali in Ayodhya, prays at Ram temple
A day after Deepotsav, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath began his day on Thursday with a visit to Hanumangarhi, where he prayed to Bajrangbali.