Tripura government announces a 5% Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) hike for over 1.83 lakh employees and pensioners, effective April 1, 2026. Chief Minister Manik Saha reveals the decision during the Assembly Budget session amid opposition criticism.
The government of Tripura on Monday announced a 5 percent increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) for state government employees and pensioners. The decision will benefit a total of 1,83,582 individuals, including 1,02,563 government employees and 81,019 pensioners across the state.
Chief Minister Manik Saha made the announcement in the Legislative Assembly during the second day of the ongoing Budget session. Informing the House, the Chief Minister stated that the revised DA and DR rates will come into effect from April 1, 2026.
The announcement was welcomed by members of the ruling alliance, with legislators from the treasury benches thumping their desks in appreciation.
Announcement Made After Budget Presentation
The Chief Minister made the announcement shortly after Finance, Planning and Coordination Minister Pranajit Singha Roy presented the State Budget for the financial year 2026–27 in the Assembly.
Addressing the House, Saha said that the hike would place an additional financial burden of around ₹500 crore annually on the state exchequer.
“To implement the additional DA and DR, the state government will incur an extra expenditure of about ₹500 crore every year,” the Chief Minister informed the Assembly.
Opposition Questions Procedure
However, the manner in which the announcement was made drew criticism from opposition members. Several opposition leaders argued that the DA and DR hike should have been included in the Finance Minister’s Budget proposals rather than being announced separately by the Chief Minister.
Senior Congress leader and former minister Sudip Roy Barman alleged that the move violated established parliamentary conventions.
“The Chief Minister has violated established norms and convention,” Roy Barman said during a heated exchange between members of the treasury and opposition benches.
Leader of the Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) also raised concerns regarding pending DA and DR dues owed to state government employees and pensioners. He asked the Chief Minister to clarify the government’s position on the issue.
Chief Minister Saha attempted to respond to the queries raised by the Opposition. However, continued disruptions and heated exchanges in the House prevented him from completing his reply.
Amid the disorder, Acting Speaker Ram Prasad Paul eventually adjourned the Assembly proceedings.
Background of DA and DR Revisions
According to officials from the state Finance Department, the decision marks another step in the government’s efforts to provide financial relief to employees and pensioners.
| Also Read: Tripura Budget 2026–27 Needs Stronger Implementation Strategy |
After the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government came to power in Tripura in March 2018, the state revised the pay scales of employees with effect from October 1, 2018, based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Since then, the government has announced several increases in DA and DR for state employees and pensioners. However, employees’ organisations and pensioners’ associations have repeatedly demanded parity with the DA and DR rates provided to Central government employees.
Budget Session to Continue Until March 25
Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ratan Lal Nath informed that the Budget session of the Tripura Legislative Assembly will continue until March 25.
| Also Read: Tripura Sees Steady Rise in Tourist Arrivals |
The ongoing session marks the first sitting of the Assembly in 2026, during which the state government is expected to discuss and pass key financial proposals and legislative matters.
