18 months DA arrears: The Corona epidemic has affected everyone’s life, and it has also affected central employees and pensioners. There has been a discussion going on for a long time regarding the arrears of 18 months Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR). Government employees and pensioners are very upset on this issue as the matter is still hanging in the balance.
Recently, reports have revealed that if the central government decides to pay the arrears of the employees, they can get a benefit of up to Rs 2 lakh. So let’s know the story of this whole issue and whether there is really going to be relief or it is just a discussion.
DA and DR: What is it after all?
Dearness Allowance (DA) is the amount that the central government gives to its employees and pensioners on the basis of their basic salary. Its purpose is to reduce the impact of rising inflation. It is revised twice every year, in January and July. It includes government employees, public sector employees and pensioners.
The government had stopped the payment of DA and DR in the last 18 months, due to which employees and pensioners suffered financial loss. Now the question is whether this arrears will be received or not.
Why were DA and DR stopped for 18 months?
The Corona epidemic created havoc everywhere in 2020. This affected not only the general public but also the financial condition of the government. Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary told the Lok Sabha that “the financial condition of the government was heavily affected due to the Kovid-19 epidemic, and in such a situation it is not possible to pay DA / DR arrears.”
However, employees and pensioners are not at all happy with this decision. This arrears is very important for them. Employees say that the government has increased the allowances under the 7th Pay Commission, but the issue of 18 months’ arrears is still incomplete.
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How much amount can be received?
If the government pays the arrears, the employees will get different amounts as per their level of work from level 1 to level 14. From the table given below, you can estimate how much benefit employees of which level can get:
| Level | Minimum DA Arrear (₹) | Maximum DA Arrear (₹) |
| Level-1 | ₹11,880 | ₹37,554 |
| Level-13 | ₹1,23,100 | ₹2,15,900 |
| Level-14 | ₹1,44,200 | ₹2,18,200 |
What do employees and pensioners say?
Employees say that the decision to stop the payment of DA and DR is injustice to them. 18 months’ arrears can help improve their standard of living. Some employee organizations have also written a letter to the government regarding this.
Shiv Gopal Mishra, who is a member of the government council, has demanded the payment of 18 months’ DA and DR arrears. He says that this is the right of employees and pensioners, which is not right to stop.
What changes were made in the 7th and 6th Pay Commission?
Major changes were made in the 7th and 6th Pay Commissions to improve the salary of central employees. Let’s take a look at what was special in these two commissions:
7th Pay Commission (2016)
- Fitment factor: 2.57, i.e. the salary was increased by 2.57 times.
- Minimum basic salary: ₹ 18,000 (earlier it was ₹ 7,000).
- Minimum pension: ₹9,000 (was ₹3,500 earlier)
6th Pay Commission (2006)
- Fitment factor: 1.86, i.e. salary increased by 1.86 times.
- Minimum basic salary: ₹7,000 (was ₹2,750 earlier).
- Minimum pension: ₹3,500 (was ₹1,275 earlier).
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What are the expectations from the 8th Pay Commission?
Recently, the government has approved the formation of the 8th Pay Commission. This commission can come into effect from January 1, 2026.
According to some reports, the fitment factor can be kept between 2.28 to 2.86. If this happens, the minimum salary can increase from ₹18,000 to between ₹41,000 to ₹51,480.
Government’s decision: Relief or disappointment?
It is clear that employees and pensioners are waiting for DA and DR arrears. But there has been no clear announcement from the government yet.
Options with the government
- Paying the full amount to the employees.
- Paying the payment in parts.
- Taking a decision not to pay completely.
Now it remains to be seen how the central government resolves this issue.
What if the arrears are not received?
If the government does not pay the arrears, it will be a big blow to the employees and pensioners. This will affect their economic balance. Apart from this, it can also increase dissatisfaction among the employees.
Conclusion
The matter of 18 months’ DA and DR arrears for central employees and pensioners is very important emotionally and financially. The government should consider it and take a decision as soon as possible.
However, the employees will have to wait now and see what steps the government takes on this in Budget 2025. Hopefully this wait will turn into relief.
