Assam hikes DA by 4% for state government employees

The Assam government on Thursday increased the dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees by 4% of the basic pay. It will benefit about four lakh Assam government employees and around 3.5 lakh pensioners.

This hike will take the DA from 46% to 50%, payable from April. It will have a total financial implication of ₹1,175 crore.

The government said arrears will be credited in four equal instalments from May to August 2024.

Taking to X, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "To make Bohag Bihu more cheerful, we have decided to hike Dearness Allowance (DA) by 4%, which will benefit about 4 lakh Assam government employees and around 3.5 lakh pensioners. With this hike, DA of all state govt employees has reached 50%."

Last week, the central government had approved DA hike for central government employees and dearness relief (DR) to pensioners by 4% effective from January 1, 2024.

Assam’s big push for solar power infrastructure

In another announcement, Sarma declared an additional subsidy for installing rooftop solar plants under the PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana.

Apart from the subsidy given by the central government, the Assam government will offer a subsidy of up to ₹45,000 to set up solar systems.

"The Assam government will give ₹15,000 for 1 kilowatt (kW) solar system, ₹30,000 for 2 kW and ₹45,000 for 3 kW as subsidy," the CM said.

Interested households can register at https://pmsuryaghar.gov.in to benefit from the scheme.