Janjivan Bureau / New Delhi : Union cabinet on Wednesday approved release of an additional installment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners from July 1, 2023 onwards, representing an increase of 4 per cent over the existing rate of 42 per cent of the basic pay and pension, to compensate against price rise.
This increase is in accordance with the accepted formula, which is based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission. The combined impact on the exchequer on account of both DA and DR would be Rs 12,857 crore per annum.
The Central Government on Wednesday announced a hike of Minimum Support Price (MSP) for Rabi season crops, including that of wheat by Rs 150 and Mustard seed by Rs 200.
The MSP for wheat would now stand at Rs 2,275 per quintal while that of rapeseed and mustard would be Rs 5,650 per quintal.
The MSP for other crops like pulses and grams have also been raised.
Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur announced the new MSP okayed by the Cabinet and the Cabinet Committe on Economic Affairs CCEA that met under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Thakur said the hike would not correspond into a price hike for the consumer.
The CCEA also okayed a 4 per cent hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and pensioners. It will mean the DA now stands at 46 per cent of the basic salary and will add a burden of Rs 12,857 Crore on the exchequer.
The Modi led Government also okayed a bonus equal to 78 days of salary for
Non-gazetted Railway employees. There are more than 11 lakh non-gazetted Railway employees.
It will cost Rs 1,969 crore.
The CCEA also okayed a grid-power line of 5 giga watt capacity at the cost Rs 20,773 crore to evacuate power from the 13 giga watt solar power project in Ladakh.
The Union Government will bear Rs 8, 947 crore cost of the project from Central grants the rest of the money would be raised by Powergrid, an entity under the Ministry of Power. The line is expected to be completed in seven years .
