3% DA hike announced by Gujarat Chief Minister for Gujarat Government Employees
The Gujarat Chief Minister made the announcement after hoisting the national flag at Modasa in Aravalli district during a state-level function to mark the country’s 76th Independence Day. During the event, the CM also appealed to people to awaken the spirit of national interest in their hearts above everything.
Some 9.38 lakh employees of the state government, panchayat service and pensioners are set to benefit from the hike in Dearness Allowance (DA). With this, the state government’s financial burden will go up by about ₹1,400 crore annually, CM Patel said.
Further, CM Patel also announced the expansion of welfare schemes under the National Food Security Act (NFSA). He announced the expansion of the one-kg gram (pulses) per card per family scheme for the NFSA card holders, and widening the income limit eligibility criteria for inclusion of beneficiaries under the Act.
He said 71 lakh NFSA card holders from all 250 talukas of the state will be given one kg gram (pulses) per card per month at a concessional rate. At present, only the people from 50 developing talukas are getting benefit of the scheme. The existing eligibility criteria of income limit per month for inclusion under the NFSA has been increased to ₹15,000 from ₹10,000, he said.
“It is our responsibility to keep reaching new heights of safety and peace in a peaceful, developing and safe Gujarat and establish new records of all-inclusive development. Let us take a pledge to make this festival of Independence as the opportunity to make national interest as paramount in our hearts and minds,” he said.
“We have developed a work culture where people feel least troubled and their issues are resolved at the earliest,” Patel said. Along with education, health and security, the government has also focused on agriculture, rural development, uplift of the poor and industrial development, he said. “Whether it is the industry, rural development, farming, ease of revenue related services, the Gujarat government has always taken citizen-oriented decisions to establish the state remains as a leader on the world map,” he said.
“Revolutionary steps have been taken to ensure farmers get enough electricity along with water. All four power distribution companies have got the ‘A’ grade for power distribution. Gujarat is leading in renewable energy. It is the first state to have a Solar Energy Policy,” the CM said.
Patel also talked about various social welfare schemes and the government’s industry- friendly policy, availability of power and labour, which according to the CM make Gujarat the “best state”. He said PM Modi made Gujarat a policy-driven state and several development-oriented policies were formulated with focus on semiconductors, biotechnology, IT, drone, heritage tourism and electric vehicles.