The Narendra Modi government’s Union Cabinet, held on the last day of July, opened its coffers for farmers, sports, and the energy sector. The meeting extended the PM-KISAN scheme for another five years and approved several important national projects.
However, the million-dollar question was whether any decision was made in this meeting regarding the increase in dearness allowance (DA) for central government employees. So, let us tell you that millions of central government employees and pensioners will have to wait a little longer. In this meeting on July 31st, no decision was made or any discussion was held regarding the DA for the July to December half-yearly period.
PM-Kisan scheme extended till 2030-31, Rs 3.15 lakh crore to be spent
In a major relief to millions of farmers across the country, the Modi government has approved the continuation of the “Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi” (PM-KISAN) scheme for the next five years, until fiscal year 2030-31. The government will spend a massive total of ₹3,15,614 crore to expand this scheme.
Launched on February 24, 2019, this centrally sponsored scheme provides assured income support to farmer families across the country. Under this scheme, each eligible farmer family receives financial assistance of ₹6,000 annually. This amount is transferred to the farmer’s bank account in three installments of ₹2,000 each through direct benefit transfer (DBT).
5,070 crore ‘PM Surya Sarovar Yojana’ gets green signal
To advance India’s green energy footprint, the Cabinet also approved the Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana (PM-SSY). This scheme will cost ₹5,070 crore (₹5,070 crore). It will install floating solar projects on large reservoirs (water bodies) across the country, with a total capacity of 5,000 MW.
These projects will reportedly have a minimum two-hour energy storage capacity (10,000 megawatt-hours). These projects will be approved between fiscal years 2026-27 and 2030-31, and funding will continue until 2032-33. This initiative will reduce carbon emissions by approximately 10 million tons per year and create approximately 16,000 to 17,000 new jobs.
‘Samudra Manthan’ for deep sea oil and gas exploration and big bets on sports field
To strengthen energy security and reduce import dependence, the government has passed the ₹84,084 crore “Samudra Manthan” National Offshore Exploration Scheme. Under this scheme, assistance of up to ₹650 crore per well will be provided for oil and gas exploration and drilling in deep and ultra-deep waters.
On the other hand, to make India a global sports hub, ₹36,441 crore has been approved for the Khelo India scheme and support to national sports federations over the next five years. Of this, ₹29,054 crore has been earmarked for Khelo India alone, to nurture talent at the grassroots level. India is eyeing a successful bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and the 2036 Olympics.
What is the update on DA and 8th Pay Commission of central employees?
While this Cabinet meeting approved several schemes, central employees were left waiting for news on their dearness allowance. Currently, central employees and pensioners receive DA at the rate of 60%. It is expected that this could increase by 3 to 4%.
However, according to past patterns, the government typically announces the official DA hike for the July half-year period in September or October. Therefore, it is expected that employees may receive the DA hike around Diwali.