Bhubaneswar,October 15: The dearness allowance (DA) for Odisha government employees and pensioners has been hiked by an additional two percent after a proposal in this regard was approved by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today.

With the current hike applicable retrospectively from July 1, 2018, the DA will effectively increase from seven to nine percent.

This apart, the State government has also hiked the Dearness Relief (TI) by two percent.

Similarly, work charge employees and staff and lecturers of fully-aided non-governmental colleges will also be entitled for the 2 percent hike in the DA.

The move comes after the Union Cabinet hiked the Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners by two percent with retrospective effect from July. The DA hike for central government employees was in accordance with the accepted formula based on the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.

The State government had earlier hiked the DA by two percent back in April this year.