Was there any decision about dearness allowance in cabinet meet? What central employees must know

This delay is unusual, as revisions for the first half of the year are typically declared in March.

Published on: Apr 9, 2026, 12:49:29 IST

Edited by Shivya Kanojia

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For lakhs of central government employees, the question remains the same — was the dearness allowance (DA) hike cleared in the latest Union Cabinet meeting that took place on Wednesday? As of now, the answer is no.

Despite expectations building up through March and now into April, the government has not announced any revision in DA. (Representational image, Unsplash)

Despite expectations building up through March and now into April, the government has not announced any revision in DA. This delay is unusual, as revisions for the first half of the year are typically declared in March. With the second week of April nearing its end, employees are closely tracking every Cabinet meeting, hoping for clarity.

Big decisions taken, but DA missing

The latest Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday, did see several major approvals — but none related to DA.

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According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, five key decisions involving investments and subsidies worth ₹1,74,207 crore were cleared., news agency PTI reported. However, the long-awaited DA revision was not part of these announcements.

At present, central government employees continue to receive 58% dearness allowance.

Infrastructure push in Arunachal

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) focused on large-scale infrastructure investments, particularly in the power sector.

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Two major hydroelectric projects in Arunachal Pradesh received approval, with a combined investment exceeding ₹40,000 crore. These projects are aimed at boosting power generation, strengthening supply, and improving the national grid.

One of them is the 1200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project on the Lohit River in Anjaw district. With an investment of ₹14,105.83 crore, the project is expected to be completed in 78 months and generate 4852.95 million units of energy annually. It will be implemented through a joint venture between THDC India Limited and the state government.

The second project, the 1720 MW Kamala Hydro Electric Project, will come up across Kamle, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts. It involves an investment of ₹26,069.50 crore and is expected to generate 6870 million units of energy. This project will be executed by NHPC Limited in partnership with the Arunachal Pradesh government.

Both projects are expected to strengthen power supply, support peak demand management, and contribute to balancing the national grid. Additionally, the Kamala project is expected to offer flood moderation benefits in the Brahmaputra Valley.

The government has also committed financial support for infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and transmission systems. Local communities are expected to benefit through employment opportunities, compensation, and CSR initiatives.

Even as the government pushes ahead with large infrastructure investments, the absence of a DA announcement continues to be a point of concern for central employees.

(With PTI inputs)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shivya Kanojia
Shivya Kanojia is a journalist at Hindustan Times, where she works in the fast-paced digital news ecosystem with a strong sense of editorial judgement and a clear understanding of what makes a story both important and traffic-driven. An alumna of the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), Shivya brings a thoughtful balance of news value and audience relevance to her work, ensuring stories resonate beyond the immediate headline. Over the course of her three-year journey in the digital news space, Shivya has worked across a wide range of beats, including politics, civic issues, human-interest features and trending news. This diverse exposure has shaped her ability to approach stories with nuance, adaptability and context, whether she is breaking down complex developments or spotlighting everyday narratives that often go unnoticed. She is particularly drawn to human-interest stories, interviews and explainers that offer depth and clarity, aiming to move past surface-level reporting to explore the people, emotions and circumstances behind the news. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Shivya worked with Firstpost and Times Now, where she covered a broad spectrum of topics and honed her skills in digital journalism . Outside the newsroom, Shivya enjoys discovering new cafés, drawn to good coffee, cosy spaces and unhurried conversations. Shopping is another pastime she cherishes, not always out of necessity, but often guided by instinct and the simple joy of stumbling upon unexpected finds. Above all, she treasures time spent with loved ones, finding meaning in shared laughter, simple moments and memories that linger long after.Read More

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