New Delhi, March 28 -- In a salary increase for central government employees ahead of the 8th Pay Commission, the Union cabinet approved a 2 per cent increase in dearness allowance.

After this revision, the dearness allowance (DA) will rise from 53 per cent to 55 per cent. DA is provided to government employees to compensate them against price rise because of inflation.

Following a 3 per cent hike in October last year, the DA increased to 53 per cent of basic pay in the last update.

The government's 8th Pay Commission, which was approved by the Centre in January this year, revised the wages and allowances of central government employees.

The formal constitution of the commission, which involves the appointment of a chairman and at lea...