Guwahati, April 6:In a significant pre-Bihu announcement, the Assam government on Friday approved a 2 percentage point hike in the Dearness Allowance (DA) for state government employees, taking it to an impressive 55 per cent. This is currently the highest DA rate among all Indian states, according to official statements.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, while addressing the media in Guwahati, termed the decision a “Bihu gift” to government employees and pensioners. “This is a token of our appreciation for the tireless dedication and hard work of all government staff who play a crucial role in driving Assam’s development forward,” he said.
The DA hike will benefit nearly 7.38 lakh government employees and pensioners across the state. The revised allowance will be paid along with the salary for the previous month, and the arrears generated from the two per cent hike will be disbursed in the salary cycles of April and May.
The move comes shortly after the Central Government also announced a similar 2 percentage point increase in DA and Dearness Relief (DR) for its employees. However, Assam has now emerged as the frontrunner among Indian states with the highest DA rate.
DA is a cost-of-living adjustment allowance paid to employees and pensioners, linked to inflation and reviewed periodically. The regular revision helps protect the real income of employees in the face of rising prices. With this latest increase, the state government reiterates its commitment to employee welfare and economic resilience.
The decision is expected to boost morale among state employees, especially as the state gears up to celebrate Rongali Bihu, Assam’s biggest cultural festival. Analysts also view the move as a politically strategic gesture, aimed at reinforcing goodwill among public sector workers.
This DA revision adds to a series of employee-centric initiatives introduced by the Assam government in recent years, including timely salary disbursements, pension reform, and digitization of employee services.
While the increased financial burden on the state exchequer is yet to be quantified, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the move is fiscally sustainable and in line with Assam’s current economic trajectory.
With this decision, Assam not only leads in employee welfare but also sets a new benchmark for other states to follow.
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