New Delhi, March 28 -- The Central Government on Friday approved the release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners with effect from January 1, 2025 representing an increase of 2 per cenr over the existing rate.

The existing rate of the DA is 53 per cent of the basic pay/pension, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said in a statement.

The Government said that the decision has been take with a view to compensate the employees against price rise.

The combined impact on the exchequer on account of increase in both Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief would be Rs 6,614.04 crore per annum. This will benefit about 48.66 lakh Cent...