Goa’s pensioners to get 60% dearness relief, adopts Centre’s hike of 2%

Panaji: Goa govt has adopted the Centre’s revised dearness relief (DR) rate of 60%, entitling state and family pensioners to an enhanced payout from Jan 1 this year. The arrears accumulated in a five-month period between Jan 1 and May 31 will be credited along with the June pension, according to a gazette notification issued by the finance (revenue & control) department.

The Union cabinet, on April 18, approved a 2% increase in dearness relief, raising the rate from 58% to 60% of basic pension, effective Jan 1. Signed by the under secretary finance Naresh Gaude, the state’s adoption of the order brings Goa’s pensioners on par with their central govt counterparts.

The revision is expected to benefit lakhs of retired govt employees who depend on DR to cushion the impact of inflation. For Goa’s pensioners, the June credit will be the first tangible reflection of the Jan revision.