Lucknow, Oct. 17 -- Uttar Pradesh's 28 lakh employees and pensioners have got a major gift ahead of Diwali with the state government deciding to increase the dearness allowance payable to them by 3% (55% to 58% ). Chief minister Yogi Adityanath made an announcement in this regard and said the increase in DA would be effective from July 1, 2025, according to a press release. The decision would cause an additional burden of Rs 1960 crore in the current financial year ending on March 31, 2026. Yogi said the state government was committed to the welfare of employees and pensioners. He has given directives to officials that the increased amount should be paid in cash with the salary of October 2025. The state government's decision would cost Rs 795 crore in November 2025. A sum of Rs 185 crore would be deposited in the GPF of old pension scheme subscribers while Rs 550 crore would be disbursed as arrears for payment of DA payable for the months from July 2025 to September. An additional Rs 245 crore would be spent every month from December 2025 onwards....