Aizawl, Nov 19: The Mizoram government has approved a 4 per cent increase in the dearness allowance (DA) for state government employees, effective from November 1. The decision was taken at a Council of Ministers meeting chaired by Chief Minister Lalduhoma.

Following the hike, the DA will rise from 40 per cent to 44 per cent of basic pay. The cabinet also approved a proposal for an additional 2 per cent increase, which will take effect from April 1 next year, raising the DA to 46 per cent of basic pay.

A senior official said, “This is positive for state employees, but the DA remains below that of central government employees, who currently receive around 53 per cent of their basic pay.”

Last year, Mizoram had increased the DA from 36 per cent to 40 per cent in October. The cabinet also approved a special incentive allowance for police personnel and staff at the assistant sub-inspector rank and below deployed on deputation under the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).