Dearness allowance delay stirs discontent among central government employees.

Dearness allowance delay stirs discontent among central government employees. The Confederation of Central Government Employees and Workers has formally urged Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to announce the pending DA and DR hike, which was typically declared by late March but remains outstanding for January 2026. The delay has triggered widespread anxiety among employees and pensioners who fear a potential freeze similar to the COVID period. Historical data shows DA announcements consistently arrived by early April, but this year's postponement marks a significant departure from established timelines. Employee morale is declining as uncertainty persists regarding arrears and retroactive payments. The federation has requested immediate declaration and implementation of the DA increase from January 2026 onwards to address growing apprehensions in the workforce.