WEF Karnataka hikes DA from 31% to 35% for government employees, pensioners from January 1

Bengaluru: The newly appointed Siddaramaiah government in Karnataka has increased the Dearness Allowance (DA) of state government employees and pensioners from 31 percent to 35 percent with effect from January 1, 2023. A notification dated May 30 from the state government said, “The government is pleased to increase the rates of dearness allowance payable to state government employees in the 2018 revised pay scales from the existing 31 per cent to 35 per cent of the basic pay with effect from January 1, 2023.”

The Karnataka government has increased the dearness allowance of government employees and pensioners from 31% to 35% with effect from January 1, 2023. pic.twitter.com/2UDKEpdwMb– ANI (@ANI) May 30, 2023

The announcement comes just a week after the Congress formed the government in the southern state. The grand old party had made several promises in its manifesto including free electricity and monthly salary for women and youth.

The state government has increased the allowance of basic pension to 35 percent of the pensioners of the state government and aided educational institutions whose pension is paid from the consolidated fund of the state.

This will be applicable to full time Government employees, employees of District Panchayats, work charged employees on regular time scale of pay and full time employees of aided educational institutions and universities who are on regular time scale of pay.

“Separate orders will also be issued in respect of employees of UGC/AICTE/ICAR/NJPC pay scales and pensioners of NJPC,” the government said.

free bus travel for women in karnataka

Meanwhile, Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Tuesday reiterated that bus travel for women would be free and without any conditions.

With people anxious and worried to see the implementation of the five guarantees in the state, which according to the ruling Congress’s estimates could cost the state exchequer at least Rs 50,000 crore annually, the transport minister said free buses for women There will be no guidelines for the ride.

“We don’t have any guidelines. We have said it is free (bus travel) for women. There is no criteria like working women or anyone else. It is free for women traveling by bus,” the minister told reporters. Will be free.” a press conference.

When it was brought to his notice that there are 3.5 crore women in the state, Reddy said, “If all of them opt for the bus, their travel will be free.”

When repeatedly asked by reporters whether there would be free travel for women in all government buses, he said, “The final decision will be taken by the cabinet. Our party has announced free bus travel for all women.”

The minister said that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had sought details about the expenditure. Accordingly, the Principal Secretary of the Transport Department gathered all the information and shared it with the government.

There are four state owned transport corporations in Karnataka. They are Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation, North-West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation and Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation.

As per the details shared by Reddy, the cost of operating the four state-owned transport corporations during 2022-23 was Rs 12,750.49 crore. The traffic and other revenue statement in the last financial year stood at Rs 8,946.85 crore.