News of the Day – Cabinet approves 3% hike in DA for central govt employees, pensioners

20th Feb 2019 – In what comes as a major relief for government employees, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance to central government employees and Dearness Relief to pensioners with effect from January 1, 2019. This will involve an increase of 3% over the existing rate of 9% of the basic pay or pension.

“The Union Cabinet has given its approval to the release of an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance (DA) to Central Government employees, and Dearness Relief (DR) to pensioners w.e.f. 1.1.2019 representing an increase of 3% over the existing rate of 9% of the Basic Pay/Pension, to compensate for price rise,” the government said in a release.

The government said that the combined impact of the hike in dearness allowance and dearness relief will amount to Rs 9,168.12 crore per annum and Rs 10,696.14 crore in the financial year 2019-20 (for a period of 14 months from January 2019 to February, 2020). This will benefit about 48.41 lakh Central Government employees and 62.03 lakh pensioners, it added.

The increase is in accordance with the accepted formula based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC).

The government had last increased the dearness allowance in August last year when it approved an increase of 2% in dearness allowance for central government employees over the rate of 7%, effective from July 1, 2018.

Previously, the Cabinet had increased dearness allowance in March 2018, from 5% to 7% in accordance with the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.

Dearness allowance is provided as an adjustment to compensate for the increase in the cost of living due to inflation. Computed as a component of the salary, it is a percentage of the employee’s basic salary.

7 Islands in Andamans, Lakshadweep identified for seaplane operations

Bids invited for private sector participation in tourism-based projects; Home Minister Rajnath Singh reviews progress of development projects.

Four islands in the Andamans and three in Lakshadweep have been identified for seaplane operations, while private sector participation has been invited for tourism-based projects, the Home Ministry said on Tuesday.

The 5th meeting of the Island Development Agency, chaired by Home Minister Rajnath Singh, also reviewed the progress made towards the programme ‘Holistic development of islands’.

Swaraj Dweep, Shaheed Dweep, Hutbay and Long in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Kavaratti, Agatti and Minicoy in Lakshadweep have been identified for seaplane operations.

Key infrastructure projects such as operationalisation of the Diglipur airport for civilian aircraft and the construction of a new airport on Minicoy Island have been accorded high priority by the government, while Coastal Regulation Zone clearance (CRZ) has been accorded for ‘Middle Strait Bridge’ on Andaman Trunk Road.

Bids for private sector participation in three tourism-based projects have already been invited by the Andaman & Nicobar Administration. They include eco-tourism projects on Smith Island and Long Island and a tent city project on Aves Island. Bids will be invited shortly for one more project on Neil Island.

Three projects in Lakshadweep have been identified for issue of bids. These include tourism projects in the islands of Kadmat, Minicoy and Suheli Cheriyakara. Environmental Clearance (EC), CRZ clearance and all other clearances required for these projects are being obtained upfront, on priority, to attract more number of reputed bidders, the statement said.

The Ministry of Commerce has issued a notification extending tax incentives for investments made in manufacturing and service sector in islands of Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep.

In order to sustainably utilise the potential of Tuna fish, 10 deep-sea modern fishing vessels are being procured by the Lakshadweep administration from Cochin Shipyard Limited.

The Home Minister expressed satisfaction at the progress made since the last meeting held on June 30, 2018, when directions were given to focus on creation of recreational facilities along with tourism infrastructure; implementation of renewable energy projects; incentives for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the development of a film city.

SOURCE – THE HINDU

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