<h1>Union Cabinet Approves 5% Increase in Dearness Allowance and Relief for Government Employees and Pensioners Effective July 2019.</h1> The Union Cabinet, led by the Prime Minister, approved a 5% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from July 1, 2019. This raises the DA/DR from 12% to 17% of the Basic Pay/Pension, following the 7th Central Pay Commission's recommendations. The financial impact is estimated at Rs. 15,909.35 crore annually and Rs. 10,606.20 crore for the 2019-20 fiscal year. This adjustment benefits approximately 49.93 lakh employees and 65.26 lakh pensioners, addressing cost of living adjustments and protecting the real value of pay and pensions.