Delhi Govt enhances monthly DA for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled, other category workers

New Delhi, Dec 4 (UNI) Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday announced that the Delhi Government, as part of its pro-poor and pro-labour welfare initiatives, has enhanced monthly Dearness Allowance (DA) for its unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and other category workers.
It is pertinent to note that for regular government employees, in consonance with the directions of the Ministry of Finance, Government of India, the DA points have been frozen from January to June due to the impact of COVID-19 on the economy.
Mr Sisodia, however, states that DA for workers placed in the bottom of the hierarchy cannot be frozen, who are generally provided only the minimum wage, especially during the corona crisis.
Accordingly, the new minimum wages after including Dearness Allowance will be applicable to unskilled, semi-skilled and skilled categories in all scheduled employments. These revised wages will be applicable from October 1 as Mr Sisodia has directed to ensure payment to all workers and employees at an increased rate, the Delhi Government said in a statement.
For unskilled workers the wages have been fixed at monthly Rs 15,492 (daily Rs 596), for semi-skilled workers it is is fixed at Rs 17,069 (daily Rs 657) and for skilled workers it is fixed at Rs 18,797 (daily Rs 723).
Additionally, the minimum wage rates for clerical and supervisory staff employees have also been increased. Of these, non-matriculation will get monthly wages of Rs 17,069 (Rs 657 daily), matriculates but non-graduate to get monthly Rs 18,797 (daily Rs 723), and graduates and above to get monthly Rs 20,430 (daily Rs 786).
Mr Sisodia has informed that the Labour Department fixes Dearness Allowance after adjustment of the average All India Consumer Price Index Number.
Mr Sisodia further said that DA are revised twice in a year, that is, in April and October every year.
”Due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation and economic hardship the Dearness Allowance could not be revised in April this year, but the price hike of that period has been taken into account while revising the allowance now,” Mr Sisodia added.