In what could be termed as a Puja gift for its employees and pensioners, the State Government on Friday announced a hike of 11 per cent in their Dearness Allowance (DA) with effect from July 1, 2021.
This will benefit regular employees numbering about 4 lakh and pensioners numbering nearly 3.5 lakh. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved a proposal in this regard. The rate of DA will now be enhanced to 28 per cent from the existing 17 per cent.
The employees would get the additional DA amount in their October salary. They would also receive three months’ arrears, a statement released by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said. In another development, the Government also revised the Group Insurance Scheme (GIS) with a provision of more financial assistance for the families of employees who die during their service periods.
Now after revision, the families of employees up to the Grade Pay of Rs 4,800 are entitled to get Rs 4 lakh as Group Insurance in the event of their death. The families of employees working in the Grade Pay of Rs 5,400 and above are to avail an insurance amount of Rs 6 lakh in the event of their death.
The employees in the Grade Pay of Rs 4,800 were earlier paying Rs 7,500 as premium, which is now enhanced to Rs 20,000. The employees in Grade Pay of Rs 5,400 and above are to pay premium of Rs 30,000.