Kolkata: The state on Tuesday announced a 20% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for govt employees, along with a corresponding hike in Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners and family pensioners with effect from Oct 1, 2026.According to a notification issued by the state finance department on Tuesday, whole-time state govt employees will receive DA at 38% of revised basic pay from Oct 1, 2026. The benefit will also extend to teaching and non-teaching employees of govt-aided educational institutions, statutory bodies, govt undertakings, panchayats, municipalities, municipal corporations and other local bodies.Now, the state govt employees get 18% DA, while their counterparts in the central govt receive 60% DA.Last week, chief minister Suvendu Adhikari said that the state govt employees will get 20% more DA and the salary for Oct before Durga Puja. Adhikari also said that he is committed to reducing the DA gap between the central and state govt employees, besides implementing the recommendations of 7th Pay Commission which was set up a few days ago.According to the notification, the state govt pensioners and family pensioners will also receive Dearness Relief (DR) at 38% of revised basic pension or family pension from Oct 1. The same benefit will apply to pensioners of state-aided non-govt educational institutions, statutory bodies, govt undertakings, panchayats, and local bodies drawing revised pension.Govt has also announced an ad hoc increase of Rs 110 in the daily wage rate for daily-rated govt workers whose wages are not governed by statutory provisions such as Minimum Wages Act.
