In a recent development, Maharashtra government has announced an increase of 3% in dearness allowance (DA) for approximately 1.4 million government employees, along with arrears dating back to July 2024. This decision comes after a period of uncertainty and looming protests during the budget session.
The long-awaited news was met with relief by many employees who had been eagerly anticipating the increase in their salaries. The threat of protests, scheduled for March 6, was averted as the state government issued an order on Tuesday to disburse the pending dues amounting to over ₹1,200 crore in the employees’ February salaries.
After an arduous 8-month wait, government employees in Maharashtra are finally set to receive their increased DA and arrears. The road to this resolution was not without its challenges, as employees mobilized to seek answers and solutions to their financial grievances.
## A Long Wait Comes to an End
Leading up to the order, employees had been grappling with the uncertainty of when they would see their promised increase in DA reflected in their paychecks. Requests for meetings with key government officials, including the finance minister and chief minister, were made in an effort to address the looming issue.
A crucial meeting of the Maharashtra State Government Employees Confederation (MSGEC) held in Nashik saw representatives from various districts come together to discuss the pending implementation of the DA, arrears, and other related matters such as the revised pension scheme. The delay in disbursing the dues was attributed to the significant financial commitments made by the government prior to the assembly elections.
Vishwas Katkar, general secretary of the Maharashtra State Government Employees Confederation, highlighted the impact of the state government’s announcement of various schemes and benefits amounting to over ₹90,000 crore, which had inadvertently delayed the payment of increased DA to government employees. This delay had left many employees, including Class 1 officers, zilla parishad employees, teachers, and semi-government employees, in a state of financial uncertainty.
## Expert Insights and Employee Sentiments
G D Kulthe, founder and chief consultant of the Maharashtra State Gazetted Officers Federation (MSGOF), shed light on the typical timeline for the payment of increased DA by the government. While the usual practice involved disbursing the increased DA within three to four months of its announcement, the current delay had stretched far beyond expectations, causing widespread concern among employees.
The central government’s annual tradition of increasing DA for its employees in January and July sets a precedent for states like Maharashtra to follow suit. In line with this practice, the state government had approved a 3% increase in DA for its employees in July 2024. However, the subsequent delay in disbursing these funds had left employees grappling with financial strain for an extended period.
As the news of the impending release of arrears and increased DA spread among government employees, a collective sigh of relief reverberated through offices and workspaces across the state. The much-needed financial boost would undoubtedly bring a sense of stability and reassurance to those who had been anxiously awaiting this overdue payout.
In conclusion, the decision to increase DA and release arrears for government employees in Maharashtra marks a significant step towards addressing their long-standing financial concerns. The collective efforts of employee associations, along with the timely intervention of the state government, have ensured that over 1.4 million employees can finally breathe a sigh of relief and look forward to a more financially secure future.
