Central government employees and pensioners have once again been reminded of the old pain suffered during the Covid-19 pandemic—the withholding of Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief for 18 months.
The 63rd meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Council (Joint Consultative Mechanism) – JCM was held at the Civil Services Officers Institute (CSOI) at K.G. Marg, Delhi. In this meeting, many important issues related to central government employees were discussed, one of which was the payment of arrears of DA/DR for 18 months withheld during the COVID period.
The meeting was chaired by the Secretary and the staff side was led by senior leaders like Shivgopal Mishra and M. Raghavaiya.
Staff side reiterated its old demand on DA arrears
In the meeting, the staff side once again categorically stated that the amount of DA / DR for 18 months between March 2020 and June 2021, which was stopped due to the pandemic at that time, should be returned to the employees.
They argued that both employees and pensioners are entitled to this relief, because they worked with their full service spirit during that difficult time, even though the country was in lockdown.
Govt stance on 18-month DA arrears
However, the Finance Ministry has reiterated its old point. It said that the economic situation had worsened due to the Kovid-19 epidemic, and the burden of the welfare schemes run by the government was felt even beyond the financial year 2020-21. In such a situation, payment of DA / DR arrears is not possible.
8th Pay Commission was also discussed
The meeting also discussed the formation of the 8th Central Pay Commission and its Terms of Reference. The staff side urged that the government should appoint the chairman and members of the commission as soon as possible and issue ToR.
The government said that the notification for the appointment of some members has been issued, but the rest of the process is going on. Employees are hoping that the recommendations of the 8th Pay Commission will be implemented from January 1, 2026 and if there is a delay, then payment should be made with arrears.
Also read: DA hike for July 2025: Central govt employees, pensioners to get a bigger raise in next revision?
Proposal of Employee Insurance Scheme also presented
Another big issue in the meeting was – Central Government Employees Group Insurance Scheme (CGEGIS). The Department of Expenditure said that they have prepared a new proposal regarding this insurance scheme and it will soon be shared with the staff side.
Resentment among employees remains
Although many issues were discussed, the biggest pain remained regarding the 18 months’ arrears of DA / DR. Employees’ organisations say that the government should once again adopt a humanitarian approach to the issue and return the amount to the employees which they had honestly earned.