The Sikkim government has announced an increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from January 1.
The decision was communicated through a Finance Department circular issued on October 1.
Under the pre-revised basic pay structure, the DA and DR have been increased from 257 per cent to 262 per cent. For employees and pensioners covered under the revised basic pay structure, the rates have been raised from 58 per cent to 60 per cent.
The revised rates will also be applicable to contractual employees and personnel working in work-charged establishments who are receiving pay according to the regular scales of the state government under the revised pay structure.
DA Revision for AIS Officers
The government has also revised the Dearness Allowance applicable to All India Service (AIS) officers serving in Sikkim.
AIS officers drawing salaries under the pre-revised pay band and grade pay system based on the Sixth Central Pay Commission will now receive DA at 262 per cent, up from 257 per cent.
For AIS officers covered under the revised basic pay structure based on the recommendations of the Seventh Central Pay Commission, the DA has been increased from 58 per cent to 60 per cent.
All the revised rates will be applicable retrospectively from January 1, as specified in the Finance Department order.
Rounding-Off Rules
The circular also clarified how fractional amounts arising from the revised calculations will be treated. Fractions of 50 paise or more will be rounded up to the next rupee, while amounts below 50 paise will be disregarded.
The latest revision is expected to benefit a large section of government employees and pensioners in the state. The Sikkim government has around 50,000 employees and pensioners.