**Bhubaneswar:** Assumed to be a Christmas gift by Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday to the State Government employees as well as those have retired from the government service, a 7% increase in the dearness allowance (DA) has been announced.
This was announced by the Chief Minister at the State Secretariat here in the evening hours of the weekend.
As per the announcement made, the bonanza will be availed in retrospective effect from July 1 of this fiscal year.
Following the decision by the State Government, 4 lakh incumbent employees and 3 lakh pension holders will be benefitted.
As per a press release from the Chief Office (CMO), currently the incumbent State Government employees are availing 125% DA while pensioners will avail 7% of TI from July 1, 2016.