A case in point is the DA arrears, one of the perpetual problems of the central government employees, still with 18 months’ worth of pending payments that need to be cleared.
In view of the most recent developments, the government may soon step in to provide some respite for the affected lakhs of employees and pensioners. While there is no official say about when it would be paid, the employee unions are continuously demanding full arrears payment.
What Are the Reasons for DA Arrears?
The pending DA arrears from January 2020 to June 2021 have not yet been paid due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the Government announced the freezing of three installments of Dearness Allowance (DAs) for employees and Dearness Reliefs (DRs) for their entire pensioners, based on financial considerations.
The DA payment resumed in July 2021; however, the past dues remain unpaid. For the last so many months, the employee associations have been demanding the 18 months’ arrears, which the government has withheld, much to the resentment of employees and pensioners alike.
Are theCentral Employees Getting Their Pending DA Arrears?
The latest updates indicate that there are discussions about one-time payment or staggered payments of the pending DA arrears. Unions for the employees demand full payment, asserting that it is a bona fide right to which government employees are entitled.
The government has acknowledged the demand, but the financial burden is a serious obstacle in deciding whether to extend full or partial arrears. The decision, expected after thorough consultations with the Finance Ministry and representatives of central employees, will take the issues further.
What Will Come Next?
If the decision goes forward for clearing the 18 months DA arrears, it would be significant relief, financially for employees and pensioners. The exact mode of payment, whether in lump sum or installments, is still being debated. Employee unions are still hopeful of a breakthrough.
For now, central employees are advised to keep abreast of any official announcement from the government regarding the decision about DA arrears payments, as any such confirmation will directly affect their financial planning.