Tamil Nadu government announces 4 per cent DA hike, staff call off strike

CHENNAI: In a move that would benefit 18 lakh government employees and bring smiles on their faces, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palanisami on Wednesday announced a four per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) with effect from January 1 this year. In a statement, Mr Palanisami said his government would always follow in the footsteps of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, who believed in the betterment of the lives of lakhs of government employees in Tamil Nadu.

“The State Government has decided to effect a 4 per cent hike in DA for its employees with effect from January 1, 2017,” Mr Palanisami said. Government employees, including those working in local bodies, government-aided educational institutions, teachers, village assistants in revenue department, anganwadi and noon-meal employees, panchayat assistants and clerks would be benefited by the hike, the Chief Minister said.

The latest hike would benefit over 18 lakh employees and would cost Rs 986.77 crore to the State exchequer, the Chief Minister said, adding that the arrears till April 30 would be credited to salary accounts of the employees.