UP State Employees Frustrated as 2% DA Hike Remains Stalled Despite Central Approval

Lucknow : The long-awaited Dearness Allowance (DA) hike for approximately 1.2 million government employees and pensioners in Uttar Pradesh has hit a bureaucratic roadblock, leading to widespread discontent across state departments. Despite the Central Government’s recent decision to raise the DA by 2%, bringing the total to 60%, the Uttar Pradesh state administration has yet to follow suit.

Traditionally, the state government aligns its DA rates with the Union Government’s announcements. While central employees began receiving the revised 60% rate (up from 58%) effective from January 2026, UP’s workforce—comprising 800,000 active employees and 400,000 pensioners—is still drawing salaries based on the October 2025 revision. This four-month delay has left many struggling to keep pace with the rising costs of fuel and essential commodities.

Employee unions are no longer willing to wait quietly. Avdhesh Pratap Singh, President of the UP Development Authority Employees’ Joint Organization, highlighted the severity of the situation.

"Inflation is breaking the back of the common man. The center acted three months ago, but in UP, files are still moving from one desk to another. Our patience is wearing thin," Singh stated.

Echoing these sentiments, prominent civic body leader Shashi Prakash Mishra warned that if the government does not issue the order immediately, the unions will have no choice but to resort to state-wide protests.

The Finance Department acknowledges the mounting pressure. A senior official noted that while the hike will impose a significant additional burden on the state exchequer, it is vital for maintaining employee morale and productivity. The last adjustment occurred in October 2025, when the state bumped the DA by 3% to reach the current 58% mark.

The ball is now in Chief Minister Yogi आदित्यनाथ’s court. With unions formally appealing for an immediate resolution, the 1.2 million affected individuals are looking for a sign that their financial relief is prioritized. If the order is signed this month, employees can expect not only a salary bump but also arrears for the preceding months.

For now, the corridors of the Lucknow Secretariat remain quiet, even as the heat of resentment rises among the state's workforce.