The Union Cabinet has given the green light to a 2% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees and pensioners. The adjustment in DA, which is influenced by inflation and typically reviewed biannually in January and July, is determined based on the Consumer Price Index for Industrial Workers (CPI-IW) data provided monthly by the Labour Bureau under the Labour Ministry.
This time, there was a delay in the announcement, raising concerns from the Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers (CCGEW). The usual practice of announcing the increase in late September with arrears paid in early October was disrupted.
During the Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister strongly criticized the Opposition for rejecting the Women’s Reservation Bill. He emphasized that the Opposition’s refusal would have political repercussions in the future and highlighted a negative attitude towards women. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of conveying this message nationwide, pointing out that the Opposition is now attempting to justify its opposition to the bill, which he argued was a setback for women in the country.
Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned the establishment of a Sovereign Maritime Fund amounting to Rs 13,000 crore. The purpose of this fund is to offer stable and cost-effective insurance coverage for Indian-flagged vessels and ships operating to and from India.
Furthermore, the Cabinet approved the extension of the Prime Minister Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) until 2028, with an added allocation of Rs 3,000 crore.